Core Word “Play”: Invitations to Games, Toys and Friends

Picture card for the core word play: a child on the floor playing with blocks and a toy car

Why play comes with a big reward

After two weeks of questions, play brings a big reward: a parent, a brother or a friend who comes and plays. It turns pulling someone by the hand, or wandering off bored, into a clear invitation.

It joins with words from earlier weeks: want play, you play, play again, play outside. And it fits every age, from a toddler’s blocks to a teenager’s video game or a card game with Grandpa.

Cars or blocks, pretend shops and pirates: asking to play

Toys and games

Sit near the person with a toy you know they enjoy and ask, “Play? Play with me?” Wait for a look or a reach before you start.
Offer two games, with the word in each: “Play cars, or play blocks?”
Board and card games: point to play at every turn. “You play. Now I play.”

Pretend play

Set up a pretend café or shop with real cups and empty boxes: “Let’s play café! What would you like?”
Open the dress-up box: “Play pirates? I’m the captain!”

In the bath

Hold the bath toys back for a moment, then hand them over: “Play first, then we wash hair.”

Outside

At the playground gate: “Let’s go play!”
Roll or kick a ball across the yard and call out: “Play ball?”

With other people

Show the person how to ask another child, “Play with me?”, then stay close and help them join in.
Play with a pet: “The dog wants to play! Throw the ball.”

At school and with older children

At free time, hold up two picture cards: “Play trains or play puzzles?”
With older children and teens, use the games they really love: “Play a video game? Play cards with Grandpa?”

What it can look like

Saturday morning. Priya, who is 7, stands in the doorway while her big brother builds a train track on his bedroom floor. Her dad points to play on her board: “Play? You want to play too?” Priya watches the trains. Her brother looks up, and Dad waits. Priya reaches over and taps play. Her brother holds out an engine: “Okay, you can play. You drive this one.” By lunch, she has tapped play and again to start a second track.

Play with me, play ball, play again

A second word names the game or the partner, which helps other children answer.

play with me
want play
you play
play ball
play outside
play again

If it’s time for something else, or other children don’t answer

If they want to play when it’s time for something else

Answer the word, then say when: “You want to play. We play after dinner.” Set a timer the person can see, and point to play again when it rings.

If other children don’t answer

Be the bridge. Say the invitation out loud to the other child, “Priya wants to play!”, and show them how they can answer too, on the board or out loud.

Note for home: when they say play, play for a few minutes

This week we are learning play. Point to play when you ask your child to play, and when you join their game: “Play with me?” Offer two games, “Play ball or play blocks?”, and wait. If your child points to play, stop and play for a few minutes if you can.

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.