Teach “IN” & “OUT”: Two Powerful Words for Speech Delay & Non-Verbal Children

Learn why “In” and “Out” are powerful early communication words and how you can teach them through simple, repetitive activities at home.

Is your toddler not talking yet, using very few words, or communicating without words?

Sometimes, the most useful words to teach first are not the names of objects, but words that help your child communicate what is happening.

“In” and “Out” are simple words that children hear and experience throughout the day. They can be used during play, routines, and everyday activities while also helping children communicate and understand what is happening around them.

These words can also support children with following everyday instructions at home, daycare, kindergarten, and school.

What research tells us?

Research into the words toddlers naturally use has shown that a relatively small group of frequently used words makes up a large proportion of everyday communication. These are often referred to as core words.

Core words can be useful for children with speech delay or who are non-verbal because they can be used across many different situations rather than being limited to one specific object.

Words such as “In” and “Out” are especially useful because they are action-based, easy to demonstrate, and naturally repeated throughout everyday routines. Children can hear the words, see what they mean, and begin to connect their communication with what happens next.

What activities can you do?

You can teach “In” and “Out” through simple activities that involve putting things in and taking them out.

Use a box, bucket, or container with your child's favourite toys. As the toy goes in, say “In!” and when it comes out, say “Out!” Keep the activity repetitive and give your child plenty of opportunities to see and hear the words.

You can also use everyday routines such as putting laundry in a basket, taking toys out of a bag, or playing with bath toys. These activities help your child experience the words in meaningful situations.

Pause after modelling “In” or “Out” and give your child time to respond. A gesture, look, movement, or sound such as “ih” or “ow” can all be meaningful attempts to communicate.

Watch the video

In this video, we explore why “In” and “Out” are powerful words for children with speech delay or non-verbal communication. We explain how these words can support both communication and understanding, and show you simple ways to practise them through play and everyday routines.

We also share how you can respond to your child's communication attempts and build intentional communication through repetition and interaction.