Building a story together with a wordless picture book

Begin by looking together

Open one page and notice which detail attracts your child. You might wonder where a character is going or imagine a sound in the scene. Avoid asking a stream of questions that require answers. Pointing, making a sound or looking quietly can also be ways to take part. You do not need to turn the page into a vocabulary test or finish the whole book for the moment to count.

Allow two different stories

If you imagine different stories, explore both rather than correcting one. Your child might choose a character’s name or replace yesterday’s story with a new one. Pause when attention moves elsewhere. Choose books suitable for your child and circumstances, and keep torn small pieces out of the activity. The shared conversation matters more than following a prepared script.

Your next little step

Choose one idea that suits your family and try it at your own pace. Every family has different needs.

An example in practice

If a picture contains a door, imagine a sound coming from behind it. Decide together whether the character opens it. You can leave the story there without turning the page or asking your child to repeat your version.