Using Power Words with Minimally Verbal Children
POWER WORDS
“Starting initially with a selection of 3-5 power words lays a sturdy foundation for accelerated progress and nurtures the child's communicative confidence.”
The use of "power words" in speech therapy for emergent talkers can make a big impact on communication and confidence!
So, what exactly are power words ? In speech therapy, power words are those functional vocalizations that empower children to control their environment with minimal language. They serve as essential tools for communication, aligning closely with the child's interests and needs.
It's important to recognize that what constitutes a power word for one child may not necessarily hold the same weight for another. Personalization based on individual preferences and family input is paramount.
Picture this: a child who struggles to articulate complex sentences or express their desires suddenly finds their voice through a simple, yet powerful word like "go" or "up." These words are not chosen at random; they're carefully selected based on what matters most to the child and their family. From "me" and "my" to "stop" and "push," each power word holds significance, serving as a bridge between thoughts and actions.
Starting initially with a concise selection of 3-5 power words lays a sturdy foundation for accelerated progress and nurtures the child's communicative confidence. Initiating with sounds within the child's phonemic repertoire ensures that their utterances remain intelligible, fostering successful communication exchanges. The Apraxia Cards BUNDLE of visual cues for many of these words can help elicit production.
To illustrate the practical application of these concepts, here are some power word suggestions along with simple activities that can be seamlessly integrated into therapy sessions or at home::
Me: Encourage the child to point to themselves in a mirror or in photos while saying "me." or while using Magnet tiles, as you put a tile onto a tower, continue to model the word “me” each turn.
My: Have the child bring personal items like a favorite toy or a family photo album while labeling them as "my” or stick stickers all different places on you “my hand”, “my nose” then on the child continuing to use the word “my”. Use “my” during turn taking while playing indicating it is “my” turn.
Animal sounds: “moo”, “quack quack”, “meow” count as words and are fun for children to say. Most of these sounds have a CV, VC or CVC pattern perfect for children with apraxia of speech (Visuals for animal sounds can be found here)
Go: Set up a simple obstacle course or use toys that move (e.g., cars, trains) and prompt the child to say "go" as they navigate through or initiate movement.
Up: Incorporate actions like jumping, stacking blocks or pillows, or lifting toys into containers while encouraging the child to say "up." This activity reinforces spatial concepts and enhances motor skills.
Come: Utilize games where the child needs to come to you or follow simple instructions like "come here" while using preferred toys or activities as motivators or you run across the room and run to the child while modeling “come”.
No: Introduce scenarios where the child can express negation in a silly way using "no," such as putting a shoe on your head or pretending to eat a toy.
Stop: Incorporate activities involving movement (e.g., dancing, playing catch) and prompt the child to say "stop" to pause or end the activity.
In: Create opportunities for the child to place objects into containers or hide toys in designated areas while labeling the action as "in." This activity reinforces spatial understanding and enhances object manipulation skills.
Poo: Introduce simple bathroom routines or use picture cards depicting toileting activities while encouraging the child to say "poo." This fosters functional communication related to toileting and promotes self-care skills.
Push: Provide toys or objects that require pushing (e.g., toy cars, buttons) and prompt the child to say "push" as they engage in these actions. Using a balloon pump where the child says “push” while you pump the balloon to inflate it.
Exclamatory sounds: “ohuh”, “oh no” and “weee” count as words and these have tons of uses in daily life. Try dropping items on the floor and modeling “uhoh” or “oh no each time” (visuals for Exclamatory words can aid with production of words).
These suggested words are often words that young children use daily, they are functional and they are powerful! But remember- your child’s power words may be completely different and it is important to consider the child, their phonemic repertoire and their environment.
These activities serve as starting points for incorporating power words into therapy sessions, fostering meaningful communication exchanges and supporting the child's overall development. Moreover, the journey begins with sounds that a child can already produce, ensuring that their utterances remain intelligible. By using sounds within the child's phonemic repertoire, we lay a solid foundation for clear and effective communication exchanges.
