# First Words: Action Verbs for Toddlers

Little Wheels Talk & Listen teaches action verbs through vehicle movements, helping toddlers build functional language beyond just naming objects.

## Why Action Verbs Matter for Speech Development

Verbs are essential for language development because:
- Enable two-word combinations ("car go," "truck stop")
- Move beyond labeling to communication
- Foundation for sentence building
- Express wants and needs ("want go," "help push")

## Action Verbs by Phoneme Difficulty

### Tier 1 - Easiest (Early Sounds: /m/, /b/, /p/, /w/)
- **move** - /m/ sound, vehicle action
- **bump** - /b/ sound, collision word
- **beep** - /b/ sound, horn action
- **push** - /p/ sound, physical action
- **wait** - /w/ sound, patience verb

### Tier 2 - Building (Sounds: /d/, /n/, /h/, /t/)
- **drive** - /d/ sound, core vehicle verb
- **dig** - /d/ sound, construction action
- **honk** - /h/ sound, horn action
- **help** - /h/ sound, social verb
- **turn** - /t/ sound, direction change
- **tow** - /t/ sound, truck action

### Tier 3 - Expanding (Sounds: /k/, /g/, /f/)
- **go** - /g/ sound, essential verb
- **get** - /g/ sound, acquisition
- **come** - /k/ sound, approach
- **carry** - /k/ sound, transport action
- **fix** - /f/ sound, repair verb
- **fill** - /f/ sound, container action

### Tier 4 - Advanced (Complex Sounds)
- **stop** - /st/ blend, safety verb
- **start** - /st/ blend, beginning action
- **spin** - /sp/ blend, wheel action
- **splash** - /spl/ blend, water play
- **crash** - /kr/ blend, collision (exciting!)

## How Talk & Listen Teaches Verbs

Vehicles naturally demonstrate action verbs:

1. **Vehicle Card Practice**: See vehicles performing actions with verb labels
2. **Category Gateway**: Action-themed word deliveries ("The truck can GO!")
3. **Phoneme Drill**: Practice all /g/ words including go, get, give

## Action Verb Features
- 25+ action verbs organized by phoneme difficulty
- Call-and-response prompts ("Can you say drive?")
- Animated vehicle actions paired with audio
- Verb + vehicle combinations ("truck go," "bus stop")
- Movement-based celebrations

## Why Vehicles + Verbs Works

Vehicles are perfect for teaching action words:
- Vehicles DO things (drive, stop, turn, go)
- Movement is visible and engaging
- Actions can be repeated endlessly
- Children naturally narrate vehicle play with verbs

## Practical Applications
- Two-word combinations ("car go," "truck stop")
- Request language ("want drive," "help push")
- Narrating play ("The bus is turning!")
- Following directions ("Make it stop")

## Related Resources
- Learn more: littlewheels.app/learn/parent-guides/first-words-action-verbs
- Talk & Listen app: littlewheels.app/apps/talk-listen
- Late talker guide: littlewheels.app/learn/parent-guides/late-talker-guide

## About Little Wheels
Little Wheels Talk & Listen teaches 300+ first words across 10 vocabulary themes, including 25+ action verbs. One-time $4.99 purchase, works 100% offline, no ads or subscriptions.