I am sharing some of my favorite toys to teach the CORE words open and close. We know that kids love hands-on learning and using toys. Training the core words open and close are great word pairs to teach in therapy for various reasons.
First, it’s easy to visually show the word pairs in play, especially if you use some of the toys I recommend later in the show.
Secondly, coaching parents to model and work on these words during daily routines and in-play activities is feasible for their busy schedules. For example, you can teach how to open/close the door, a snack container, a toy item, and the clothes drawer.
Thirdly, open and close can be paired with other nouns, so if you want to help a client begin using 2-word utterances, being able to communicate open or close can later be paired with nouns, such as open box, open door, etc.