Grown-Up Guide: Let’s Talk!

Words you may find useful:

duck pond feathers paddle wildlife gentle

What to do

This picture helps develop your child’s Understanding the World by encouraging them to learn about wildlife, habitats and how to care for animals responsibly. It also supports Communication and Language as children describe what they see, ask questions and learn new words about the natural world.

Sit together and look at the picture. Let your child lead—follow what they notice first.

You say it first (Copy + Add)

“I can see some ducks swimming.”

“The child is feeding the ducks.”

“The ducks are paddling across the pond.”

👉 Then, depending on the age of your child, add one or more words:

“A fluffy brown duckling.”

“Smooth white feathers.”

“A calm, peaceful pond.”

💬 3 questions to build language

• “What animals can you see?”
• “Why do you think we need to be gentle with wildlife?”
• “Where do you think the ducks sleep?”

If no answer

That’s okay—keep modelling:

“The ducks are swimming.”

“They have feathers.”

“The child is being kind to the ducks.”

⏱️ 2-minute routine

🦆 Visit a local pond or lake if you can.
👀 Watch the ducks quietly and count how many you can see.
💬 Talk about what the ducks are doing using words like swimming, paddling and floating.
🌾 Remember to feed them suitable food, such as oats or duck pellets, and explain why bread isn’t the healthiest choice for ducks.

Keep it short, warm and pressure-free.