Box of Object Functions: Building Expressive & Receptive Language Skills

80 cards total: 40 Object Cards + 40 Function Cards

Two card types work together: Object Cards feature a decontextualized illustration of the object alone; Function Cards feature a contextualized illustration showing the object being used in a real-life scene

Consistent, predictable prompts on every card back support structured teaching and independent use (e.g., *You use a cup to… You use a cup to drink. You _____ with a cup. You drink with a cup.**)

Color-coordinated card backs make matching activities quick and intuitive

Probe and teach in one deck — use Object Cards to informally assess a child's knowledge, then use Function Cards to explicitly teach the target concept

Ideal for speech-language pathologists, teachers, and parents

80 cards total: 40 Object Cards + 40 Function Cards

4"x4" Cards

Working on object functions helps children form meaningful connections between the things they see every day and the actions associated with them — a foundational step in language development. The Box of Object Functions supports this by:

• Moving beyond labeling — children learn not just what something is called, but what it does and how it's used, building richer, more flexible vocabulary
• Connecting nouns to verbs — pairing objects with actions (e.g., cut with scissors, drink from a cup) strengthens the language networks children need for communication
• Developing functional vocabulary that children can use in everyday routines and real-world contexts
• Strengthening comprehension and verbal expression across settings
• Laying the groundwork for higher-level language skills such as categorization, comparing and contrasting, describing, and inferencing
• Providing a structured, predictable format that supports learners who benefit from routine and repetition