What are verbal cues?

Verbal cues are words or sounds that help people understand what’s happening around them.

Imagine you're playing a game of tag at recess. When your friend shouts “Tag!”, that’s a verbal cue. It tells you to run, just like when your mom says “Dinner is ready!” and it means it’s time to stop playing and go eat.

Think of verbal cues as little maps in your brain. When you hear something familiar, like your teacher saying “It’s time for math!”, your brain knows exactly what comes next, just like how you know what happens when the bell rings at school.

Sometimes, people use verbal cues to help others follow directions. Like when a coach yells “Pass it to Sarah!” and everyone knows where the ball should go.

Verbal cues are everywhere, in games, at school, even during your favorite TV show! They’re like friendly helpers that make everything easier to understand.