Ihsan takes the hardcover book in yellow and passes it to his mother.
“Read to me!” says the 5 year old pre-schooler.
M: “Let’s look at the book cover. What can you see?”
I: “Boys!”
M: “Oh yes! How many boys can you see?”
I: “Two!”
M: “What do you think they are doing?”
I: “I don’t know. They have some things in their hands.”
M: “Oh yes! Can you describe the things on their hands?”
I: “Round.”
M: “Round. What about the colour?”
I: “No, oval. It’s small and red.”
M: “Yes, they looked oval, small and red. Can you make a guess what they are?”
I: “I don’t know. Maybe marbles?”
M: “Marbles? That’s a good guess, I supposed.”
M: “I wonder why they are holding these things in their hands?”
I: “Maybe they want to give it to someone.”
M: “Maybe.”
M: “Do you see what these two boys are wearing?”
I: “They are wearing like me for Hari Raya!” offers Ihsan.
M: “Do you remember what’s it called?”
I: “Baju….?”
M: “You are almost there. They looked like they are wearing the Baju Melayu like what you would usually wear for Hari Raya.”
M: “What about the colour of their Baju Melayu?”
I: “Red. Blue.” Ihsan points accordingly.
M: “Good! Now, what can you see on their heads? ” asks Mom.
I: “Hats?”
M: “Yes, they looked like hats, don’t they?”
I: “This one is like mine.” Ihsan points to the boy in blue, who is wearing a songkok. “This one, I don’t know.” He points to the boy in red.
M: “Yes, this is songkok just like yours, and this one…hmmm, I wonder what it’s called. Maybe we will find out in the book.”
M: “What about the patterns on this “hat”? ” Mom points to the tanjak.
I: “It’s triangles! It’s up down and up down!”
M: “Great. Now, are we ready to find out?”
I: “Yes!”
Here is an example of a picture talk between Mom and Ihsan and it is only based on the book cover.
If you realise, Mom does not offer many answers. In fact, Mom asks a lot of questions instead to uncover Ihsan’s understanding and pique his curiosity. It is also okay if Ihsan makes a guess which may not be correct. Mom reaffirms that he is making a good guess, and it allows him to try further.
What do you SEE?
Try picture talk on the book cover with your child. Start with easy questions like:
“What do you SEE?”
The word “SEE” is powerful enough for you to have sustained conversations in any languages with your child. You can prompt your child to describe what they see in terms of the colour, shape, patterns, design, textures, quantity of items etc.
Picture talk is one way to ensure the development of extensive vocabulary. You will be surprised on the word bank your child will amass if you do this on a regular basis. Enjoy exploring!
Be sure to share this with your friends.
More tips coming soon. You can also purchase the book, “There Are Saga Seeds In Our Pockets!” at our physical shop at East Village Mall or shop online. You can also download free resources here.
