The Picture Walk Game is a game to encourage reading and imagination. So often teachers and parents get so hung up on reading text that they forget all the other skills needed to read, like imagination, prediction, problem solving etc. The Picture Walk Game has many parts to it; the average witness to the game hardly notices them.
Here’s how to play:
- Let your child choose one book from their Interest Game Books.
- Ask your child if they know what the name/title of the book is. If they do not know, read them the name using your finger to show each word. Have them repeat after you.
- Once they read the title, have them look at the cover and have them tell you what they see. If they point out the author and illustrator name, it is fine to talk about what they are and why they are important (HINT: We remember names of author’s we like so that we can find other books they write or illustrate)
- Now tell your child that you are going to start the Picture Walk Game.
- Your child will walk through each page telling you what they see, what they recognize, what they think is happening. (DO NOT CORRECT THEM UNLESS IT IS A WORD. THIS IS A “POSITIVE WALK” THROUGH A BOOK)
- Encourage your child to pick out words they recognize, especially primer words. (Dolce Words: https://www.nala.ie/tutors/top-tips/teaching-reading/common-words)
- Encourage your young reader to imagine what comes next or why the illustrator drew a particular picture.
- LET THEM MAKE UP THE STORY…. It doesn’t matter what the real story is… not yet, at least. (This skill helps with writing stories later)
- Once the book is done, ask your child what they liked the most about the book so far.
- You have just successfully participated in the Picture Walk Game.
- Put the book away for now and continue to Picture Walk all the books from the Interest Game.
When you are ready for the next step, read blog #3 of the series, Reading with your K-2 Child – Advice from a Teacher!
