An information carrying word (ICW) also known as ‘key word’, is a word that carries meaning in an instruction.
For a word to count as an ICW or key word the child has to make a ‘choice’ of some sort to complete the instruction correctly.
When working on ICW’s or Key words, we always use familiar words for the child. We are not working on their understanding of the individual words but their ability to follow a certain length instruction.
To work out which stage the child is at, read more about information carrying words here
