# First Words: Functional Phrases for Toddlers

Little Wheels Talk & Listen teaches functional phrases that help toddlers communicate needs, take turns, and interact socially—moving beyond single words to real communication.

## Why Functional Phrases Matter for Speech Development

Functional phrases are critical because:
- Enable real communication (not just labeling)
- Reduce frustration (children can express needs)
- Support social interaction (turn-taking, greetings)
- Bridge to sentence building

## Functional Phrases by Category

### Requesting Phrases
- **more please** - polite continuation request
- **want that** - desire expression
- **help me** - assistance request
- **my turn** - turn-taking
- **open it** - action request

### Social Phrases
- **hi there** - greeting
- **bye-bye** - departure
- **thank you** - gratitude
- **love you** - affection
- **excuse me** - politeness

### Action Phrases
- **let's go** - initiation
- **come here** - calling
- **look at this** - attention-getting
- **do it again** - repetition request
- **all done** - completion

### Emotional Phrases
- **I'm okay** - reassurance
- **uh-oh** - mistake acknowledgment
- **oh no** - concern expression
- **yay** - celebration
- **wow** - amazement

## How Talk & Listen Teaches Phrases

Functional phrases appear throughout vehicle interactions:

1. **Vehicle Card Practice**: Phrases paired with vehicle actions ("Let's go, truck!")
2. **Category Gateway**: Phrase-themed practice sessions
3. **Conversational Swaps**: Natural turn-taking with call-and-response

## Functional Phrase Features
- 20+ functional phrases organized by use
- Call-and-response format models conversation
- Phrases paired with vehicle contexts
- Turn-taking practice built into gameplay
- Celebration phrases reinforce positive communication

## Why Vehicles + Phrases Works

Vehicle play naturally incorporates functional language:
- "Let's go!" when starting vehicles
- "My turn!" when sharing vehicle toys
- "Uh-oh!" when vehicles crash
- "All done!" when play ends

## Practical Applications
- Turn-taking ("Say 'my turn' when you want the truck")
- Requesting ("Use 'help me' instead of crying")
- Social skills ("Say 'thank you' when someone shares")
- Emotional expression ("It's okay to say 'uh-oh'")

## Progression from Words to Phrases
1. Single words: "more"
2. Two-word phrases: "more please"
3. Three-word phrases: "want more juice"
4. Simple sentences: "I want more juice please"

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

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