What Is a Core Word Board? Core and Fringe Words Explained

The short answer

A core word board is a page of the small words people use all day, everywhere: I, you, want, more, go, stop, help, not, what. A board of only things (cookie, ball, car) can name things, but core words can be put together to say many different things. To start, pick a few words, point to them while you talk, and keep the board where daily life happens.

Core word board with 30 picture buttons: I, you, it, that, yes, no, want, like, get, put, look, help, go, stop, open, turn, play, feel, more, all done, big, little, good, different, in, on, up, down, not, what. — A core word board with 30 words. Print it free.

Core words and other words

Core words are small words that fit almost any moment: more, stop, go, help, not, that. They are verbs, little words and describing words, more than names of things.

Fringe words are the names of particular things, people and places: pizza, grandma, dinosaur, pool. They matter too. Fringe words are often the person’s favorite things to talk about.

Here is how one core word can work all day:

Core word	Ways to use it
more	more crackers at snack, more pushes on the swing, more tickles
stop	stop the music, stop tickling, stop the car game
go	go outside, go down the slide, ready, set, go
help	help with a lid, help with shoes, help find a toy
not	not that one, not now, not hungry

Why the words stay in the same place

On a core word board, each word keeps its spot. When more is always in the same place, the hand learns where to go, the way your fingers know a keyboard. Moving the words means learning them again, so keep every printed copy the same.

Getting started

Start small: pick three to five words the person would want every day, like more, stop, go, help and all done, put a copy of the board where those moments happen, and point to the word while you say it. Then wait, and answer every point. The week-by-week plan in how to teach core words takes it from there, one word at a time, and the one-page AAC modeling at home handout puts the habits on the fridge.

Common questions

They don’t point to anything yet. Is it working?

Keep going. Children hear a lot of speech before they talk, and a board works the same way: the person needs to see it used many times first.

Which words should we add next?

Watch for what the person seems to want to say and can’t. Add words for that. A speech therapist can help choose.

Should the person still have fringe words?

Yes. Add favorite things on a second page, or with photos. Core words work best mixed with the words the person cares about.

Work with a speech therapist

A speech therapist who knows the person can help choose the first words, plan how to practice, and decide whether a speech device or app might help. Bring the board to your next visit and ask what to try next.

These boards and guides 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, pictures and layout. The boards are free to print and share; please don’t sell them (terms of use). Questions about the boards? Email support@lmnoplabs.fun.