‘Power Words’: How to Choose Impactful Words to Model for Language Growth

ABC’s and 123’s. Colors. Shapes. These are all concepts that families often model for their early language learners. While these are important words and concepts as children near preschool age, did you know that there are other words that are even MORE important to be modeling for your child’s speech and language?

That’s right. These can be called “power words” - words that are meaningful and powerful for your child to be able to use. Consider this analogy:

If you were only taught how to use colors, shapes, etc., and you got a flat tire and needed to call for help, you might only be able to say “circle, black.” However, if you knew power words, you would be able to call someone and say, “Help! Stuck! Broke! Come!” 

While some children need or benefit from the intervention of a trained speech therapist, these are concepts that any child’s family and caregivers can use to help them grow their communication toolbox. Below are ideas and strategies to help jumpstart your child’s language development. First- check out this video where we show how to model our tips below!

What Types of Words Should I Focus on Teaching My Child?

Words such as action words, descriptors, and other concepts beyond letters, numbers, colors, and shapes are SO important for your child to be able to use. Even before you start teaching your child their alphabet or labeling colors, consider modeling the following word types to support their speech and language skills:

Verbs

Verbs show action: run, jump, hop, throw. They also allow us to request and direct action. Some great “power word” verbs to model for your child are: stop, give, want, put, open, move, help, like. These allow children to request, comment, describe, and more. This pragmatic function of language helps them learn autonomy within the environment - what I say or communicate does matter, and I can help shape my environment in actionable ways. Also, try to model what you think your child might want to say, not just want you want them to do. 

Modeling example: If your child is reaching for their favorite snack on the counter, you can model “Want! I want a snack. Want.” instead of saying “Do you want a snack? Are you hungry? Say cookies.” 

Adjectives

Adjectives are describing words. These add more to a phrase than just labeling it, for example: big dog, cloudy sky, little sock, fast car, empty cup, broken toy. These help children be more specific, describe things/actions, and expand their vocabulary. This allows them to convey more of their internal world - ‘cup’ isn’t as informative as ‘empty cup!’. ‘Empty cup!’ tells you more - perhaps the child wants something in the cup. 

Prepositions

These words describe the placement of things. Words such as “on” “under” “in” describe where things are and can also help direct meaning (e.g., put it on versus put it under). By modeling these you not only help your child learn to understand their meaning, but also help them to use them. This can also help reduce communication frustration as children learn nuance in speech! They may have a very specific idea of where they want their stuffed animal to be, and if they’re able to communicate that they want it ‘in’ their backpack and not just with them, this can be a powerful tool to avoid communication breakdowns (and subsequent emotional meltdowns). 

Modeling example: While playing with your child, pick up items/toys and model where you put it - “ball ON top” “ball IN the box”. You don’t have to ask “where is it?” yet - just model the preposition.

How and When to Model Power Words

The way children learn to use these is by their families, caregivers, and educators modeling them. Labeling items, talking aloud about what you are doing, and modeling power words are how children expand their vocabularies. Here are some tips for modeling new language:

Avoid Questions

“What’s this?” “What color is that?” - while these are often used to get your child to respond, they are missing the most important part, the model! Instead of flooding your child with questions, model what you want them to say.

Modeling example: You are playing with farm animal toys. Instead of holding up the cow and asking “What’s this?”, pick it up and say “Cow! Moooooo. Cows say ‘moo!’ Big cow.” 

Provide Wait Time & Space

Children need processing time to understand and respond. If you are asking your child question after question, they aren’t able to process what you are asking, let alone respond to you. After you model something, WAIT! Give them time to hear and process what you modeled, as well as time to imitate it or respond (if they want). Initially, counting in your head can help you gauge if you’re giving your child processing time before prompting again- 5-20 seconds can feel much longer than you may have initially guessed!

Modeling example: You are trying to teach your child the word “eat”. During snack or meal time, pretend to take a bite and say the word “eat” - then, count to three slowly in your head to allow your child time to imitate it. If they don’t repeat it back, don’t worry! Simply model the word again and move on. 

Avoid Pressure

Often when encouraging a child to talk, we give them a cue such as “say bye-bye” or “can you say cow?” However, when learning new words we want to model without expectation - this means model but not require or force the child to imitate it. By giving them space to repeat, but not forcing them to say it, encourages them without pressure. Avoid prompting them with “say ____” - this increases pressure and doesn’t allow the child to learn that they can say what THEY want. 

Modeling example: You want to teach your child to say “bye-bye” when someone is leaving. FIrst, model the expected word (and pair with a familiar gesture - waving). Give them a few seconds to watch, process, and attempt to imitate. If they don’t repeat, avoid telling them “Say bye-bye! Say it!” and simply model the word again. 

Use Play

Research shows that play is how children learn, and where they learn fastest! Speech and language are just some of the many things that children learn while playing. Find what activities bring your child the most joy, and model those power words during that play time. 

For example, if your child loves to swing, you can model verbs like “push” and “stop”, adjectives like “fast” and “high” and prepositions like “in” and “out”. If your child loves to play with bubbles, you can model words such as “open” “go” “more” “pop” and “big”.

Model and Narrate Across All Daily Activities

You don’t have to buy new toys or go to new places to expand your child’s vocabulary. Daily routines are great opportunities to model new words. Model verbs such as “open” and descriptors such as “hot” while cooking together. Model words such as “twist” “squeeze” “fast” “look” while brushing teeth. Words like “go/stop,” “loud,” and “slow” are great targets to model while driving. Think about how many words you can model while at the grocery store. Talk about what YOU are doing also through narration (e.g., I am opening the door, the door is stuck!, I am making my bed, the pillow is soft, wow that ball rolled fast!).

These ‘power words’ give children the ability to express needs, describe their world, and influence their environment. Parents and caregivers can support language growth by modeling a variety of action words, describing words, and prepositions during play and daily routines — without pressure or constant questions. Through natural modeling, wait time, and interaction in everyday moments, families can help their children develop stronger, and more functional language skills.

If you’re noticing your child could benefit from extra support in building their language, speech, or communication skills, the speech therapy team at Resonate Music Therapy in Colorado Springs is here to help. Our licensed speech language pathologists specialize in early language development, play-based speech therapy, and parent coaching to empower families with strategies like modeling “power words” for everyday communication growth. Whether you’re seeking a speech therapy evaluation, ongoing individualized speech sessions, or collaborative music therapy and speech therapy services, we make the process simple and family-centered. Learn more and schedule your consultation today at Resonate Music Therapy to help your child’s communication bloom! Contact us at 719-354-0893 or staff@resonatemt.com