Explore the Scene Together: Start by looking at the picture with your toddler and talking about what you see. You can ask questions like, “What animals do you see?” or “What do you think they’re eating?” to encourage observation and language skills.
Invent Stories About the Characters: Pick an animal and invent a simple story about them. For example, the bear could be celebrating its birthday, and the friends decided to throw a surprise picnic. Encourage your toddler to contribute by asking them what happens next or how the other animals help with the celebration.
Role Play: You could take the storytelling further by role-playing some of the scenarios you’ve discussed. Use stuffed animals or toys as stand-ins for the characters in the image. This not only brings the story to life but also helps in developing your toddler’s imagination and social skills.
Draw Your Own Picnic Scene: After discussing the image, you and your toddler could draw your own picnic scene. This could include some of the same animals or entirely new ones. Drawing together is not only a fun activity but also great for fine motor skills and creativity.
Plan Your Own Picnic: Inspired by the image, you could plan a small indoor or backyard picnic with your toddler. Let them help decide what snacks to include and which toys (or stuffed animals) to invite. This real-world activity helps bridge the gap between imagination and reality, teaching planning skills and the joy of sharing meals with friends.
