Free AAC core words board
A true AAC core words board: 30 cells of the abstract high-frequency words that carry most of language, like I, you, want, go, stop, not, and where, arranged the way AAC systems teach them.
- 30 words
- Free printable PDF
- Editable in browser
I
You
It
More
All done
Go
Stop
Want
Like
Help
Get
Put
Make
Open
Turn
Eat
Drink
Play
Look
Not
Big
Little
Good
What
Where
In
On
Up
Down
HereCore words are the small set of mostly abstract words, pronouns, verbs, and little words, that make up the majority of what anyone says. This board is built from them rather than from picture nouns, which is what makes it a true AAC core words board.
It opens with pronouns (I, you, it), moves through the most useful verbs (want, go, stop, help, get, put, make), and fills out with describing and little words (big, little, good, not, what, where, in, on, up, down).
Because core words appear in almost every sentence, modeling on this board teaches the building blocks of language itself, not just labels for things. Pair it with real objects and photos as your child grows.
When to use this board
Choose this board when you are following a core-word approach and want the abstract words that build sentences, rather than a board of picture nouns.
How to customize this board
- Keep the pronouns and verbs where they are; their fixed spots are what make modeling consistent.
- Add a few personal nouns or photos around the edges for the things your child requests most.
- Model two-word combinations, like want plus go, so your child hears the words working together.
Frequently asked questions
- What are core words in AAC?
- Core words are the small set of high-frequency, mostly abstract words, like want, go, stop, more, I, and you, that make up around 80 percent of everyday speech. Because they work in almost any sentence, AAC systems teach them first.
- How is an AAC core board different from a picture board?
- A picture board is mostly nouns, photos of specific things a child wants. An AAC core board is built from abstract core words that combine into sentences, so it teaches language structure rather than just labels. Most children benefit from both.
- Why do the words have a symbol if they are abstract?
- The symbol is a memory aid, not the message. Because the printed word and its spot never change, the icon only has to remind your child which cell is which. AAC systems use schematic pictures, like a pointing figure for I, for exactly this reason.
- Can my child really learn abstract words like that and not?
- Yes, with modeling. Adults model abstract words by pointing to them in real situations, that is mine, I do not want it, again and again, the same way hearing children learn these words by hearing them constantly.
- Is the AAC core board free?
- Yes. Edit and print it for free with no sign-up. Laminate it for daily use and reprint as needed.