Sometimes thinking of ideas on what to write can be difficult. A picture prompt aims to help with this, as it can kick start an idea, or allow us to expand on the image to create a story.

• When using colourful semantics – it is important that your picture prompt shows someone/something DOING something (action pictures). This is because it is easier to think of an idea and write a sentence or story based on an image where something is happening (e.g. a person blowing out candles on a cake) than it is to think of an idea or write something based on a static image (e.g. a flower). 
• Pictures that show actions are also more relatable to a child. If they see an image of a character DOING something that they themselves have experienced, coming up with a story/sentence idea will be much easier, and the actual writing of the story/sentence will be more enjoyable.
• Ideas of picture prompts for your child could be:
  – Taking photos of them helping with the cooking and then getting them to write about it using the images as a stimulus
  – Family holiday photos
  – Taking photos of your pets doing something e.g. chasing a ball, eating dinner
  – Images in a story book of the characters performing an action (e.g. fighting a dragon) 
  
  Here are some picture prompts below that show actions, and may help your child with idea generation:

Picture prompts for idea generation in writing with CS

When using these prompts, your child can:

1. Write a sentence about the picture ensuring each colourful semantics cue is included. When the picture shows different characters doing different things, your child can write many sentences about what is happening.
2. Use the image as a stimulus/basis for idea generation/knowing what to write when creating their own story.