Character Portrait
Here's What To Do
1
Ask your child to think of a favorite book character.
2
Read a book with that character in it.
3
Have your child draw or paint a portrait of the character, with a setting from the book in the background.
4
Ask your child to describe their character portrait, and to explain why they drew the character and the background that way.
Put PEER Into Action
P
Pause:
- Sit in your cozy book reading spot.
E
Engage:
- "While we read this book, notice what the character looks like, and what their face looks like when they have different emotions."
- "A portrait is a picture of a person. Can you make a portrait of your favorite character and draw a scene from the book in the background?"
E
Encourage:
- Remind your child that it's okay if their picture doesn't look exactly like the book. The illustrator had a lot of practice making that character!
- Praise your child's effort, like: "I notice you're working hard to make the pigeon the perfect shade of blue."
R
Reflect:
- Ask your child why they drew the character the way they did, and to show you details from the book that they included.
Not quite ready?
After you read a book, ask your child to name the main character and to retell the beginning and ending of the story.
Ready for more?
Have your child draw an important part of their favorite book.
As your child masters this skill...
They will notice key details about a book and be able to recreate them with a drawing.