Take this with you

  • Begin with a few familiar words.
  • Three pictures provide a story structure.
  • Change one element next time.

Choose a small, familiar world

The British Council suggests bringing English into activities at home. Our exercise is a short story about a toy, animal or invented character. Your child chooses the hero and setting: a garden, bedroom or outer space. Agree on three or four familiar words rather than beginning with a long vocabulary list. If you are unsure of pronunciation, check an audio dictionary beforehand. Adults can learn alongside their child without pretending to be language experts or knowing every possible answer.

Draw a beginning, a problem and an ending

Divide a page into three boxes. In the first, the character looks for something; in the second, there is an obstacle; in the third, a solution. Add one short sentence below each picture, such as “The cat is in the garden”. Match the language to your child’s current ability. If they can only name an object, that can be their part of the story. The adult can supply the rest while leaving space for independent participation.

Tell the story in two ways

Read the text together first. Then cover one sentence and try telling that scene using only the picture. You can swap roles: the child points to the character and the parent guesses the next action. If a mistake appears, calmly use the correct form in your reply rather than stopping the entire game. You need not correct every detail at once. Choose one thing to express more clearly today, such as a place or a simple action sentence.

Keep the story for next time

Put the date on the back and save the page. Next time, change only one element: the setting, an object or the ending. This makes it easier to notice which words your child uses independently. Avoid grading it like a test or sharing it publicly against their wishes. If it is too difficult, return to two pictures or pointing at objects together. The activity creates an opportunity to use language; it does not replace a full learning programme or the teacher’s work.

Sources & further reading

Prepared with AI assistance using the sources below. Editorial standards ↗