Core Word “Look”: Pointing Out Dogs, Planes and Pictures

Picture card for the core word look: a child looking through binoculars

Why look is about sharing, not asking

Most first words ask for things. Look lets the person comment and share attention, which is a big part of how people talk to each other.

It works on walks, in books, at the window and in play, and joins with that, at me, up and here. When the person says look, they are inviting you in.

Look on walks, in books, in the mirror and from the car

Out and about

On a walk: “Look! A dog.” Point to look, then to the dog.
Planes, birds, cranes: “Look up!”
At the store: “Look, bananas.”

With books

Point to look, then to a picture in the book: “Look, a cat.”
Lift-the-flap books: “Look! Uh oh, a bear!”

In play

Hide a toy under a cup or a blanket, and say “Look!” as you lift it.
Build something silly: “Look at my tower!”

In the bath and the car

Bubbles on your nose: “Look!”
Out of the car window: “Look, a truck.”

Getting dressed

In the mirror: “Look at you! Look, a hat.”

At school and at home

Show and tell: “Look at this.”
When the person is already looking at something, give them the word: “Look, the fan!” You are saying what they might say.

What it can look like

On a walk to the park, a fire truck goes by with its lights flashing. Jake stops and stares. His dad points to look on the card clipped to the stroller: “Look! A fire truck!” Jake watches until it’s gone. On the way home they hear another siren. Jake grabs the card and taps look. His dad looks where Jake is looking: “Look! You saw it first.”

Look at that, look up, look at me

A second word sends the other person’s eyes somewhere: up at a plane, at that dog, or at me.

look at that
look up
look at me
look here
look, wow
uh oh, look

If they don’t follow your point, or it’s “look at me” all day

If the person doesn’t look where you point

Turn it around: point to look and name what they are already looking at, instead of moving their attention: “Look, the fan.”

If it becomes “look at me” all day

Wonderful. Look, and say what you see: “I see you jumping! So high!”

Note for home: look where your child is looking

This week we are learning look. When something catches your eye, point to look and then to it: “Look! A bird.” Look at what your child is looking at, and give them the word: “Look, the dog!” If your child points to look, stop and look where they are looking.

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.