# First Words: Daily Routines Vocabulary for Toddlers

Little Wheels Talk & Listen teaches routine vocabulary through the School Bus vehicle, helping toddlers communicate about daily activities and transitions.

## Why Routine Words Matter for Speech Development

Routine vocabulary is essential because:
- Predictability reduces anxiety (knowing what comes next)
- Transition support ("Time for bath" is easier with vocabulary)
- Independence building (children can request routine steps)
- Foundation for time concepts (morning, night, later)

## Routine Words by Phoneme Difficulty

### Tier 1 - Easiest (Early Sounds: /m/, /b/, /p/, /w/)
- **more** - /m/ sound, continuation request
- **bye** - /b/ sound, departure
- **bath** - /b/ sound, hygiene routine
- **wake** - /w/ sound, morning start
- **wait** - /w/ sound, patience

### Tier 2 - Building (Sounds: /d/, /n/, /h/, /t/)
- **done** - /d/ sound, completion
- **hi** - /h/ sound, greeting
- **help** - /h/ sound, assistance request
- **time** - /t/ sound, schedule word
- **night** - /n/ sound, bedtime
- **nap** - /n/ sound, rest time

### Tier 3 - Expanding (Sounds: /k/, /g/, /f/)
- **go** - /g/ sound, departure/action
- **come** - /k/ sound, arrival
- **clean** - /kl/ blend, tidying
- **food** - /f/ sound, mealtime

### Tier 4 - Advanced (Complex Sounds)
- **sleep** - /sl/ blend, bedtime
- **snack** - /sn/ blend, between meals
- **story** - /st/ blend, reading time
- **brush** - /br/ blend, teeth/hair

## How Talk & Listen Teaches Routine Words

The School Bus vehicle teaches daily routine vocabulary:

1. **Vehicle Card Practice**: School Bus shows daily schedule words
2. **Category Gateway**: Routine-themed word deliveries (morning, bedtime)
3. **Phoneme Drill**: Practice all /t/ words including time, teeth, tub

## Routine Vocabulary Features
- 20+ routine words organized by phoneme difficulty
- Call-and-response prompts ("Can you say bedtime?")
- Visual routine images paired with audio
- Time-of-day organization (morning, afternoon, night)
- Schedule-themed celebrations

## Why School Bus + Routines Works

The School Bus naturally connects to daily routines:
- School buses follow schedules (time concepts)
- Buses pick up and drop off (transitions)
- Morning bus = start of day routine
- Afternoon bus = end of day routine

## Practical Applications
- Morning routines ("Time to wake up")
- Transition support ("Say bye-bye")
- Mealtime communication ("More food please")
- Bedtime preparation ("Time for bath, then story, then sleep")

## Related Resources
- Learn more: littlewheels.app/learn/parent-guides/first-words-routines
- School Bus page: littlewheels.app/vehicles/school-bus
- Talk & Listen app: littlewheels.app/apps/talk-listen

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