Picture This: Symbols & Signs
The practice below will help your child recognize people, objects, and actions in pictures. Using pictures as part of everyday activities will make it easy for a child to tell you he/she notices things.
This practice uses pictures of people and things a young child is familiar with to communicate recognition. Take diaper changing for example. A mom puts a picture of herself changing her baby’s diaper on the wall by the changing table. While changing her baby’s diaper, she points to and talks about the photo. The baby smiles and gets excited. Mom responds, showing how pleased she is about her daughter’s effort to communicate.
Try these things to make it easy for a child to show you she recognizes pictures of people and things.
- Take pictures of people, things, and actions your child knows and likes. Try non-glossy pictures or photographs that have little or no glare. Show the pictures to her as part of activities like looking at a book. This will encourage her to “tell you” she knows what she sees by vocalizing, getting excited, or making gestures.
- If your child has trouble seeing, use large pictures or drawings to make it easier for her to see them. Try using real objects rather than pictures to make it easier for the child to recognize familiar things.
- Make a homemade book of four or five pictures of familiar people. “Make up” a story about the people as you show your child the pictures. Try using pictures of your child’s favorite toys.
- Use pictures of activities like eating, drinking, and bath time to show your child what is about to happen. It will not take very long for her to know what is about to happen.
How to tell the practice is working:
- Is your child beginning to recognize more and more pictures?
- Is your child “telling” you what she sees in pictures more often?
- Does your child “know” what is about to happen next when she sees familiar pictures?