Free Printable PECS Cards for Core Requests
A starter set of picture exchange cards for the requests your child makes most, so they can ask for what they need without words from day one.
- 8 cards
- Free printable PDF
- Editable in browser
Core request cards are the place most families start with PECS. They cover the handful of words a child reaches for all day long: I want, more, help, break, stop, all done, yes, and no. With these eight cards your child can make a real request the moment they need to, instead of melting down because no one understood.
Print the set on cardstock if you have it, cut along the lines, and laminate each card or cover it with clear tape so it survives spills and daily handling. Add a hook-and-loop dot to the back of each card so it sticks to a board, a strip, or the front of a binder.
PECS works best when an adult models the exchange and hands over the wanted item right away. Treat every reach for a card as a real request, even an imperfect one, and your child learns that the picture gets them what they want.
When to use this template
Best as your child's very first PECS set, or any time you want a small, high-use core a child can rely on across the whole day.
How to customize this template
- Swap any symbol for a photo of the real object your child wants, like their specific cup or snack.
- Keep the wording your family already uses, so the card matches what your child hears at home.
- Print a few spares of the highest-use cards so a lost or chewed card never empties the board.
Frequently asked questions
- What are core request cards?
- Core request cards are a small set of the words a child uses most to ask for things: want, more, help, break, stop, all done, yes, and no. They are the usual starting point for PECS because they let a child make a real request right away.
- How many PECS cards should my child start with?
- Most families start small, with a handful of high-use requests like this eight-card core, then add more cards as those become reliable. A small set is less overwhelming and easier for a child to scan.
- Are these PECS cards really free?
- Yes. Download the print-ready PDF with no email required, or open the set in the free editor to swap symbols, add photos, or change the labels before you print.
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