Why Start with Nouns and Verbs?

When we think about building language, it helps to start with the basics: nouns (people, places, and things) and verbs(actions). These are the foundation for helping young children begin to label their world and express their wants, needs, and ideas. For children with language delays—or those just starting to develop speech—beginning with simple, concrete vocabulary is key. Think words like ball, dog, go, and eat. These early building blocks form the roots of communication and open the door to more complex language down the road.

Using Interactive Books to Build Confidence

One of my favorite tools for introducing these concepts is The Autism Helper’s Noun Adapted Book Series and Verb Adapted Book Series. These low-prep, hands-on resources come with built-in visual supports and are perfect for repetition and consistency—something many children thrive on.

Each book allows children to match pictures, identify vocabulary, and respond to simple prompts in a way that’s engaging and manageable. When I use these books with much younger children, I will modify depending on the needs and attention span.  For example, I may use errorless learning when I first go through the book.  I will prefill in all of the answer choices with the correct pieces.  If the child is interested in pulling off the pieces, we will read then practice matching the picture back.  If this book is more like a practice book like it was with the student in the pictures, the learning looked different.  He could handle take all the pieces off, was able to scan through the entire pile, read the sentence with help and then find the correct picture.  That’s why I love these books so much, completely adaptable to any level of learning! Whether you’re working in a classroom, therapy setting, or at home, these books help provide the structure that some children need to feel successful while learning new words. 

Bringing Language to Life Through Play

Learning doesn’t stop at the table. Real-world, hands-on play is where language truly comes alive. A basic farm set is a great place to start. During play, model short phrases like “Pig jumps!” or “Cow eats.” Use simple questions like “Who is that?” or “What’s he doing?” to encourage back-and-forth language. I love to ask a question and pause and give the answer. For example, “Who is ringing the bell? The farmer is ringing the bell!”. A lot of times we can get stuck in question asking mode but there’s nothing wrong with modeling this process out loud.

Other great everyday toys for teaching nouns and verbs include:

• Dollhouses or people figures (e.g., “Baby sleeps,” “Mom drives”)
• Vehicle sets (e.g., “Truck goes,” “Car stops”)
• Play kitchens or food sets (e.g., “Cut apple,” “Stir soup”)
• Animal figures or zoo sets (e.g., “Lion roars,” “Elephant walks”)
• Bubbles or balls (e.g., “Pop bubbles,” “Throw ball”)

The key is to keep your language simple and repetitive, offering opportunities for the child to see and hear the word used in context. Over time, you’ll begin to notice those little sparks of understanding and expression.

Everyday Routines as Natural Language Moments

You don’t need a toy shelf full of materials to teach nouns and verbs—your daily routines are full of opportunities to model functional, meaningful language. These moments can feel less overwhelming for parents because they’re already happening—no setup required.

During mealtime, you might say:

• “Eat banana.”
• “More milk?”
• “Cut sandwich.”
• “Mom eats. You eat!”

In the bathroom or at bath time:

• “Wash hands.”
• “Dry feet.”
• “Brush teeth.”
• “Water splashes!”

Getting dressed or doing laundry can also become a learning moment:

• “Shirt on.”
• “Socks off.”
• “Fold pants.”
• “I zip. You try!”

Even transitions like getting in the car, feeding the pet, or going outside provide space to model phrases like:

• “Open door.”
• “Dog eats.”
• “Shoes on. Go outside.”

These real-life moments are powerful because they’re predictable, functional, and full of context. With consistent modeling, children begin to pair the action or item with the words they hear—leading to increased understanding, and eventually, expression.

Keep It Simple, Repetitive, and Meaningful

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or therapist, remember: children learn language best through consistent exposure, clear modeling, and meaningful interaction. When we combine structured tools like activity books with natural, playful, everyday experiences, we create a rich environment for communication that children can access and enjoy—no flashcards required. Happy Learning!