It helps them improve their creativity. When looking at a picture, they have to come up with ideas that fit the scene. It also enhances their language skills as they need to find the right words to describe what they see and the story they are creating.
Well, children can first describe what they see in the picture. Maybe it's a picture of a beach. They can mention the sand, the ocean, and the sun. And then build a story around it. Like a boy who builds a huge sandcastle on the beach and then has to defend it from the incoming tide.
Well, kids can start by picking out the most interesting part of the picture. Suppose the picture shows a big house with a lot of flowers around it. They might begin with 'There is this amazing big house. It has so many colorful flowers all around it. In the house, there lives a kind old lady. One day, a lost kitten came to her doorstep. The old lady took the kitten in and gave it some milk. And that's how their story could start, just by using what they see in the picture.
They are also very helpful for language development. As children listen to the story being read or read it themselves, they are exposed to new words and sentence structures. Picture books often use simple and repetitive language which is easy for kids to learn, like in 'Dr. Seuss' books. The pictures give context to the words, making it easier for children to understand their meaning.
The Children's Bible Picture Christmas Story is a wonderful way to introduce children to the significance of Christmas in a religious context. In this story, we see the miraculous events surrounding Jesus' birth. God chose Mary, a virgin, to be the mother of Jesus. Joseph, her betrothed, was also part of this divine plan. The birth in Bethlehem was a humble beginning for the Son of God. The shepherds' visit and the later arrival of the wise men all point to the special nature of Jesus. The pictures in such a storybook help children to better understand and remember these important parts of the Christmas story.
Another one is the story of Theseus and the Minotaur. Theseus volunteers to go into the Labyrinth to slay the Minotaur. The idea of a hero facing a fearsome monster in a maze is very appealing for a picture story. It can show children the importance of bravery and intelligence, as Theseus uses a thread to find his way back out of the Labyrinth after killing the Minotaur.
In the beach picture, there are waves crashing onto the shore. A little boy is building a sandcastle. His parents are sitting under an umbrella, reading books. There are also some shells scattered on the sand. It's a very relaxing scene.
There are several important elements. Firstly, the story's message. It should teach children something positive, like sharing or being brave. Secondly, the pacing. If it moves too fast, kids might get confused; if too slow, they could lose interest. The art style of the pictures is also crucial. It can be cartoon - like, realistic or even abstract as long as it appeals to children. For instance, bright colors and big eyes on characters often draw kids in.