✅ Beyond Nouns

Why Verbs and Actions Matter in Early Language Learning

When we think about vocabulary, we often start with naming objects: cat, ball, shoe. But for rich, expressive language, children need more than nouns—they need verbs.

Action words are the backbone of sentences and the bridge to storytelling. Without them, vocabulary stays static.

🧠 Why Verbs (and Core Words) Matter

According to studies in language development (Hadley et al., 2018), children who use a wider range of verbs tend to:

• 📖 Tell more complete stories

• 🧱 Build stronger sentence structure

• ✏️ Develop better grammar

  
  

Verbs—and other core words like "go," "want," "help," and "stop"—also allow children to:

• 🗣️ Describe what they’re doing

• 🔁 Retell experiences

• 🤝 Interact with others

• 🧭 Make choices and express needs in early communication

  
  

Research supports the use of core vocabulary in both AAC and natural language development because it enables flexible, spontaneous communication across settings (Beukelman & Mirenda, 2013; Kent-Walsh & Binger, 2020).

🛠️ How to Highlight Verbs While Reading

• 🤸‍♀️ Act them out: “Can you leap like Manny?”

• 👋 Use gestures + narration: “She’s buzzing and zipping. Show me zipping!”

• 👀 Label character actions: “He’s twirling, spinning, splashing!”

• 🔁 Repeat verbs across pages to reinforce them through rhythm

  
  

🐒 Perfect Fit: Manny the Monkey

In Sammy’s Jungle Day, Manny is full of action: flip, swing, race, twist, spin. These verbs are visual, playful, and ideal for multi-sensory learning.

Use Manny’s scenes to:

• 🚀 Build action word vocabulary

• 🤸 Pair verbs with movement

• 🧩 Scaffold language with sentence starters: “I can ___ like Manny.”

  
  

Want printable action cards or movement mats? Visit my TPT store for tools that bring verbs—and core words—to life across reading, play, and daily routines.

💚 Dr. T

Author | SLP | Educator | Illustrator

Treetop Tales Publishing

www.readwithdrt.com