Tap AAC

Core word “little”: small things and small amounts

Little describes small things, like a little bug or a little car, and small amounts: a little juice, a little bit, a little more. That second job makes it useful at every meal. This week, point to little whenever something is small or you only want a bit, and put little things next to big ones.

Download the free printable (PDF) US Letter, 1 page, 401 KB

Printing on A4 paper? Download the A4 PDF (1 page, 401 KB).

Core word of the week 28 printable for “little”: a big picture card, phrases like a little and little bit, six ideas (drinks, animals, outside, voices, songs, garden), a mini board with little, big, more, baby, bug, drink, and a note for home with a box for each day.
The printable: the word, ideas for the week, a mini board to cut out and a note for home.

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  • Week 28 of 32
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Picture card for the core word little: a small gray mouse in the middle of the card

Why big needs little

Week 21’s big needs a partner to mean much: a dog is only big next to a little one. Little completes the pair, so the person can choose a size (“the little one”) and notice when things are different.

Its second job is amount. “A little” lets a person ask for some, not all: a little juice, a little more (week 1), a little help (week 4). It works for sound, too: a little voice, a little quieter.

Little sips, ladybugs, seeds, whispers and stars

Meals and drinks

  • Pour just a little into the cup, stop, and wait: “A little? A little more?”
  • Serve yourself out loud: “Just a little for me. I’m not very hungry.”

Play

  • Line up toys from big to small, like nesting cups or teddies: “Big bear... middle bear... little bear.”
  • In a dollhouse or a toy farm, talk about the small ones: “The little pig wants to go in.”
  • Tickles in two sizes: “A little tickle, or a big tickle?” Start little.

Outside

  • Hunt for bugs under leaves and stones: “Look, a little ladybug! So little.”
  • Plant a bean in a cup on the windowsill: “It’s little now. Let’s watch it grow.”

Animals and books

  • Baby animals, in books, at the farm or at a friend’s house: “A little puppy. Its mom is big.”

Voices and songs

  • Talk in a little voice, almost a whisper, then a big one. Let the person choose which voice comes next.
  • Sing “Twinkle, twinkle, little star,” pointing to little each time it comes round.

Helping

  • Share out the jobs by size: “You carry the little bag. I carry the big one.”

At school or therapy

  • Art time: “Just a little glue. A little more paint?” Squeeze slowly and wait for the person to say when.
What it can look like

Breakfast. Isla, who is 3, watches her mom tip the milk jug over her cereal. A tiny splash comes out, and Mom stops. She points to little on the mini board taped to the table: “A little milk.” Isla looks at her bowl, still almost dry. Mom points to more and waits. Isla touches it. “More? A little more.” Another small splash. By the end of the week, Isla taps little before the jug even moves, and then more until the bowl is just right.

A little, little more, the little one

A little and little more are about amounts, which makes them useful at every meal.

If little and big get mixed up, or little means less

If little and big get mixed up

That’s part of learning a pair. Don’t correct with “No, that’s big”; just say what you see, side by side: “This one is little. That one is big.” Silly sizes help, like a doll’s hat on Dad’s head.

If little means they want less

Treat it as a real request: “A little? Okay, just a little.” Being able to ask for a small amount can make a new food or a busy place feel less like a big deal.

Note for home: give a little, and put little next to big

This week we are learning little. Point to little for small things, like a little bug or a little spoon, and for small amounts: “Just a little juice.” Put little things next to big ones. If your child points to little, give a little of what they want, or show them the small one: “This one? It’s little!”

The same note is printed at the bottom of the week’s page, with a box to tick for each day. For families who are new to modeling, send the one-page AAC modeling at home handout with it, and keep using the word cards from earlier weeks.

More core word of the week plans

All core word printables and guides

Need a different board? Make your own with the free AAC board maker.

These cards, handouts and plans are general information, not therapy or medical advice, and they don’t replace a speech therapist. A speech therapist who knows the person can help choose the right words and the right way to practice. Everything here is free to print and share; please don’t sell it (terms of use). Questions? Email support@lmnoplabs.fun.