Early Atlas

Activity

More Please at Snack

A snack routine that invites children to combine two words to request food.

Ages 18–36 months

Inspired by Play-based learning expressive-language phrases routine

Supports this milestone

  • uses increasingly complex language in conversation with others. — Head Start ELOF

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Materials

  • A snack the child likes, served in small portions

Steps

  • Offer a small first portion and wait.
  • When the child wants more, model the phrase "more cracker" and pause.
  • Honor any two-word attempt right away by giving the snack.
  • Repeat across the snack, expanding the child's words by one.

Variations

  • Use the same routine at bubble play ("more bubbles") or with a wind-up toy.

Differentiation

  • For beginners, accept one word plus a sign as the two-part message.
  • For older children, model three-word phrases.

Accessibility

  • Two-symbol AAC or two-sign combinations count as two-word phrases.

Safety

  • Choose choke-safe foods and watch for allergies.

Practices these skills

Evidence

Early Atlas