What are Core Words?
When we talk about core words, we’re talking about the small but mighty words that make up the majority of what we say every day. Words like go, stop, help, more, want, and like may seem simple, but they are incredibly powerful. These core words allow individuals who are non-speaking to communicate across many different situations, topics, and environments—not just label objects.
Research consistently shows that focusing on core words is one of the most effective ways to support communication for individuals who use AAC. Instead of teaching hundreds of nouns that only apply in specific contexts, core words give students the tools they need to request, protest, comment, ask questions, and engage socially. Once students understand and can use core words, their communication becomes more flexible and functional.
Why Core Word of the Day?(Instead of Core Word of the Week?)
Many classrooms use a core word of the week approach—and that can absolutely work. But Core Word of the Day builds on that idea in a way that keeps students more engaged and increases exposure.
With a weekly model, students may only be introduced to one core word per week. With a daily model, students are exposed to five different core words in one week, and then those words are intentionally revisited within the next two weeks. This mirrors other research-based instructional approaches, like Letter of the Day in early literacy, where frequent exposure and repetition matter more than long stretches on a single skill.
Daily exposure means:
- more core words introduced
- more chances to hear and use those words
- faster growth in functional communication
How Core Word of the Day Works in the Classroom
Check out this resource to implement Core Word of the Day in your classroom! One of the biggest strengths of this resource is that it’s structured, predictable, and easy to implement—which is exactly what students with autism thrive on.
Each day follows the same routine:
Introduce the core word of the day using a clear visual vocabulary card
Model the word verbally, with sign (if applicable), and on an AAC device or core board
Use the “Word in Action” song cards to reinforce meaning through movement and music
Read a short adapted book that shows the word used in meaningful, real-life contexts
Send students off with an Easy Reader they can reread and color
After ten days of introducing new words, the cycle intentionally repeats for review, giving students multiple chances to build mastery instead of rushing ahead
Why This Routine Supports Communication Growth
This daily structure gives students repeated, meaningful opportunities to:
- see the core words
- hear the core words
- use the core words in context
Because the routine stays the same, students don’t have to spend cognitive energy figuring out what to do—they can focus on using language. At the same time, the word itself changes daily, which keeps things fresh and engaging.
Teachers often use Core Word of the Day:
During morning meeting to set the tone for communication
As a low-energy afternoon group activity when students are tired
For consistent AAC modeling without needing to reinvent the wheel
Everything is designed to fit naturally into your day, not add more to your plate.
The Big Picture
Core words increase communication because they give students access to language they can use all day, every day. Core Word of the Day takes that research-based strategy and turns it into a simple, repeatable classroom routine that supports engagement, structure, and real communication growth.
If you’ve been looking for a way to teach core words that’s effective, predictable, and realistic for a busy special education classroom, this approach just makes sense.
If you’re ready to make teaching core words easier, more engaging, and more effective, you can click here to check out Core Word of the Day and see exactly how it works in the classroom. It’s a simple routine with a big impact on communication. 💜