How to use it
Start with core words, or a board for one part of the day like meals or bath time.
Swap in the words your child needs most, and type any that don’t have a picture.
Print it, laminate it if you can, and keep it where the talking happens.
Point to the words as you say them, all through the day, without asking your child to copy you.
Make it last: print on cardstock, laminate it or slip it into a sheet protector, and use a dry-erase marker or Velcro dots so you can use it again.
Questions parents ask
What are core words?
Small words that work almost anywhere, like want, more, go, help and stop. A few of them on one board can say a lot, which is why many boards start there.
How do I help my child use it?
Point to the words yourself as you talk, without asking for anything back. This is often called modeling, and it shows how the board works. Keep it close, give your child time, and answer every point as real communication.
What do the colors mean?
Picture words are tinted by type: people in yellow, actions in green, describing words in blue, things in orange and social words in pink. Words you type print plain. The tints make words quicker to find, and they print light to save ink.
Does this replace my child’s device or speech support?
No. It’s a simple paper board for everyday moments, like bath time or when a device is charging. If your child has a device or works with a speech-language pathologist, use the same words they use, and ask how a paper board can fit in.
Is my child’s name saved anywhere?
No. A name you type stays in your browser so it can print on the sheet. It is never sent to us.
Is it really free?
Yes. One email unlocks this and every other tool in the library, and you can print as many as you like. Your email also brings one short story each Tuesday, and you can leave anytime.
Read it with a story
This is a simple visual support for everyday routines, not a therapy or a treatment. If your child works with a teacher or therapist, they can tell you how it fits with what they already do. Picture symbols: Mulberry Symbols, CC BY-SA 4.0.
