Core Word “Go”
🔤 How to Teach and Say “Go” to a Toddler
1️⃣ Pair with Movement
Run, jump, spin — then say "Go!"
"Ready, set, GO!" is a great natural way to introduce the word.
You can play chase or race games to make it interactive.
2️⃣ Use with Toys
Roll cars, balls, or push toys across the floor.
Model saying “Go!” when you push the toy.
Pause and say “Stop”, then “Go!” again.
3️⃣ During Daily Routines
Leaving the house? “Let’s go!”
Getting into the car? “Go to the car!”
Going outside? “Go outside!”
4️⃣ Use Visual & Physical Cues
Point ahead while saying “Go!”.
Give a gentle push to a toy or even your toddler (like a tickle push to encourage running).
5️⃣ Songs & Routines
Sing songs like "Wheels on the Bus" (the bus can go fast or slow).
Make a simple "Go/Stop" game part of your day.
📚 Books to Model the Core Word "Go"
1️⃣ "Go, Dog. Go!" by P.D. Eastman
A classic with repetitive "go" phrases (e.g., "Go around," "Go up," "Go down").
Perfect for reinforcing different ways to "go" (fast, slow, up, down).
2️⃣ "Ready, Set, Go!" by Robert Munsch
Features the phrase "Ready, set, go!" throughout the book.
Great for modeling "go" during activities like races or games.
3️⃣ "Go Away, Big Green Monster!" by Ed Emberley
Repeated use of "Go away" as the monster disappears piece by piece.
Encourages participation with interactive phrases.
4️⃣ "Go to Sleep, Little Farm" by Mary Lyn Ray
Uses "go" in the context of going to sleep.
A calming bedtime story that still reinforces the core word.
5️⃣ "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush" by Iza Trapani
A sing-along book that uses "go" in predictable patterns.
Helps model "go" in routines (e.g., "Here we go washing our face").
6️⃣ "Rosie's Walk" by Pat Hutchins
Rosie the hen goes on a walk while a fox follows.
Simple text allows for modeling "go" with actions.
7️⃣ "Go-Go Pirate Boat" by Katrina Charman
A fun rhyming book with lots of action words using "go" (e.g., "Go, go, pirate boat!").
Encourages movement and engagement.
8️⃣ "Run, Turkey, Run!" by Diane Mayr
Uses "go" conceptually (turkey runs to go away before Thanksgiving).
Helps with "go" in action-based storytelling.
9️⃣ "Freight Train" by Donald Crews
Features a train going fast, slow, through tunnels, etc.
Great for expanding "go" with speed and location words.
🔟 "Zoom! Zoom! Go!" by Candace Ryan
A playful transportation-themed book with repeated "go" phrases.
Perfect for kids who love cars, planes, and movement.
🚀 Book Activities for "Go"
Pause while reading and let the child fill in "go!"
Pair with toy cars, animals, or action figures—say "Go!" before making them move.
Use "Go" in real-life actions (e.g., "Go up the stairs!" after reading about going up/down).
