Early - Extending, Expanding and Elaborating Core Word Strategy

Aug 20, 2026

Upload by James

Early in the core-word vocabulary program builds communication for educators, related service providers, and parents through the AAC strategy Extending, Expanding and Elaborating. Partner responses model immediate, simultaneous verbal and AAC language that extends single-word output toward two-word and higher-level utterances. Guidance covers grammar and upbeat tone, plus practical ways to use “early” for information sharing, questioning, description, and negation. The document also recommends routines, sensory-motor activities, and video/book resources to reinforce the concept in daily life.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages92

Reading Time3 h 52 min

AccessFree to download

Strategy of the Month

Extending, Expanding and Elaborating

Ways We Can Use the Word

Routines and Schedules

Play

Reading

Social Interactions and Video Modeling

Sensory Motor

Videos, Music, Animated Shorts

CORE WORD: Early For Educators, Related Service Providers and Parents STRATEGY OF THE MONTH EXTENDING, EXPANDING AND ELABORATING The AAC strategy of Extending, Expanding and Elaborating focuses on communication partners responding to what students express by providing immediate,(simultaneous) verbal and AAC system modeling based on the student's unique language goals. As an example, students at the single-word level may have a goal to produce two-word utterances and therefore the ‘add a word’ approach could be utilized, (providing modeling by adding a word to the utterance/word produced) . Such added words could be targeted as: pronouns, verbs, or descriptors, (for added specificity) . Intermediate to advanced communicators would have different, higher-level language goals and targets that are individualized. When using the Extending, Expanding and Elaborating approach, it is suggested that such modeling is carried out in a positive, upbeat tone and with correct grammar and syntax. WAYS WE CAN USE THE WORD SHARE INFORMATION: (e.g. , I am early) ASK A QUESTION: (e.g. , am I early?) DESCRIBE: (e.g. , too early) NEGATE: (e.g. , you are not early) ROUTINES AND SCHEDULES Circle: Adults and students can use early to indicate who was early to school during the morning circle time routine. Snack time: Adults can lead students in a discussion about foods and the difference between what type of foods you eat early in the day such as breakfast food (e.g. , eggs, toast, yogurt, etc. ) . PLAY Freeze Dance: Students can play freeze dance and when an adult or student pauses the music, students can point out if anyone stopped dancing too early. Red Light/Green Light: While playing red light/green light students and adults can use early to indicate anyone who stopped running too early. READING Here are some suggested books on YouTube that can assist in teaching the core word: The Bravest Fish By Matt Buckingham, courtesy of WizKid Campus: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9qCa0wntIY&ab_channel=WizKidCampus](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9qCa0wntIY&ab_channel=WizKidCampus) This book is about a bright, orange fish named Stanley. One day, Stanley and his school are supposed to move to cooler waters. When Stanley gets up, he can’t find his school and goes on an adventure. Do we think that Stanley was early or late? The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle, courtesy of Animated Children’s Books: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfL0g](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfL0g) XRxnA&t=34s&ab channel=AnimatedChildren%27sBooks This book is about a spider that is very busy building her web. Different animals walk up early, since she hasn’t completed her web, and ask her different questions. Llama, Llama Wakey Wake by Anna Dewdney, courtesy of Toddler Book Club: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Lb7llreikY&ab_channel=ToddlerBookClub](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Lb7llreikY&ab_channel=ToddlerBookClub) This book is about Llama Llama and how his mom wakes him up early in the morning to get ready for school. SOCIAL INTERACTIONS AND VIDEO MODELING This video can be played to talk about the habit of waking up early, even if you are on summer vacation in order to keep a healthy routine, courtesy of ChuChu TV: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVJDWdRxYsk&ab_channel=ChuChuTVBe](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVJDWdRxYsk&ab_channel=ChuChuTVBe)[dtimeStories%26MoralStoriesforKids](dtimeStories%26MoralStoriesforKids) SENSORY MOTOR Adults and students can listen to this “Early in the Morning” song by Peder B. Helland. The song consists of different sounds that you might hear early in the morning. While they listen to the sounds, they can relax with the lights turned down low and participate in another sensory motor activity that is quiet, such as kinetic sand. Video courtesy of Soothing Relaxation: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlrPhfrdges&ab_channel=SoothingRelaxati](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

FAQs

How does the AAC strategy Extending, Expanding and Elaborating support using the core word “early”?

Communication partners respond to what students express and provide immediate verbal and AAC system modeling. The approach extends utterances toward higher-level language goals while modeling correct grammar and syntax in a positive tone.

What are some ways adults can use the word “early” during daily communication?

Adults can share information, ask questions, describe, and negate using “early,” such as modeling statements, questions, or contrasting meanings like “too early” and “you are not early.”

Which activities and resources are suggested to reinforce “early” for learners?

The document suggests using “early” in routines like morning circle and snack time, playing games such as freeze dance and red light/green light, and incorporating books, songs, and videos that discuss waking up early and morning routines.

Aug 20, 2026

Upload by James