Cartoon pictures are great. For example, pictures from Disney movies like 'Frozen' or 'The Lion King'. The vivid characters and colorful scenes can easily inspire kids to create stories. They can start from the appearance of the characters, their expressions, and what they might be doing in the picture.
Pictures from children's books are also suitable. Take 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' as an example. The simple yet engaging pictures in it can be a good starting point for kids to tell a story. They can talk about the caterpillar's journey through different foods, how it grows, and what might happen next based on the picture.
Pictures from fairy - tale books are wonderful for this purpose. Take the pictures from 'Cinderella' for example. The images of Cinderella in her rags, the mean stepsisters, and the fairy godmother are very evocative. Kids can look at these pictures and retell the well - known story, or even create their own spin - off stories. For example, they might imagine what would happen if Cinderella's stepsisters had a change of heart and helped her go to the ball.
Select pictures that have a clear subject. For example, a picture of a child building a sandcastle on the beach. It's easy for kids to focus on and start a story about what the child is doing, why they are building the sandcastle, and what might happen next. Also, consider pictures with a bit of mystery. A picture of an old, locked chest in an attic can make kids curious and encourage them to come up with all sorts of stories about what might be inside the chest.
Another way is to use children's storybooks. Just take out the pictures from old storybooks that your kids have already read. They are already familiar with the general story, and they can create new stories based on those pictures. It can also be a good way to encourage their creativity.
For kids, keep it simple. Use bright and colorful pictures. Start with a picture that has a clear character or object that kids can easily recognize, like a big red ball or a cute animal. Then, make the sequence follow a simple pattern. For example, if it's about an animal's day, show it waking up, eating, playing, and then going to sleep. Also, use simple words and short sentences when telling the story. You can even ask the kids questions as you go through the pictures to keep them engaged.
The pictures depict a walk in the park. The couple seems to be in love. They stroll along the path lined with trees. There are various types of flowers in bloom, adding colors to the scenery. The woman is wearing a beautiful dress. They pass by an old man sitting on a bench feeding the birds. The park is full of life. There are children playing on the grass nearby. As they continue their walk, they will find a shady spot under a big tree to rest for a while and soak in the beauty of the park.
In these pictures, we first notice the beach setting. It's a sunny day. There's a family having a great time. The boy is focused on his sandcastle creation. The father has a pair of sunglasses on and seems very relaxed. The mother is smiling and looking at her family. The beach has colorful umbrellas dotted around. There are also some shells near the sandcastle that the boy might use to decorate it. Later, when they go for a swim, they'll feel the refreshing water against their skin and have even more fun.
The main benefit is that it stimulates creativity. Kids can look at a picture and come up with all kinds of unique stories. Another benefit is that it improves their observational skills. They have to look closely at the picture to be able to tell a story about it. Also, it can be a great bonding activity between parents and kids or between teachers and students.
One characteristic is that they are often vivid. The expressions on the kids' faces and their actions in the picture can clearly convey the story. For example, a picture of a kid with a big smile while holding a flower can tell a story of happiness.
You can find many on websites like Pixabay. They have a wide range of illustrations. For example, there might be a picture of kids sitting around a campfire while listening to a short story, with expressions of wonder on their faces.
One great picture could be of Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey. Kids can paint the donkey, Jesus, and the people waving palm branches. Another could be the empty tomb. Show a big stone rolled away and an empty cave with some light shining in. The third could be the resurrection, with Jesus rising up with a halo of light around him.