cake
This is a cake.
← All first-word topicsBirthday
Me & my day · AGES 3–5 · WITH A GROWN-UP
Birthday
Pictures for a pretend celebration.
Explore these birthday pictures with a grown-up. Listen, look and point together. Families celebrate in different ways, and your child can simply enjoy naming the pictures.
LOOK · LISTEN · SAY
Our picture words
Tap Listen to hear the word and sentence. A grown-up can read them aloud too.
Audio plays only when you tap.
candle
This is a candle.
present
This is a present.
balloon
This is a balloon.
card
This is a card.
party hat
This is a party hat.
Grown-up tip for this topic
Present and gift mean the same thing here. A birthday card is a card with a birthday message; this picture shows a blank card with a cake drawing. Party hat names the pointed celebration hat shown here. Some families celebrate birthdays differently or do not celebrate them.
LET’S PLAY TOGETHER
Listen. Look. Choose.
Hear or read the prompt together, then tap a picture. Take your time.
Picture 1 of 3
Point together, or tap a picture.
A lovely moment of learning.
You explored three pictures together. Now try the off-screen activity, or enjoy the pictures again.
Try the off-screen activity ↓NOW TAKE THE WORDS INTO YOUR WORLD
Draw a celebration for a toy
Choose a toy or imagine one. Draw a cake or present for it and name your drawing. Let your child choose another picture to draw or point to.
Use paper and pretend objects. No real food, candles or balloons are needed, and you can call it a pretend gathering if you prefer.
Choose another topic whenever you’re ready →FOR PARENTS & CAREGIVERS
You make the learning meaningful.
Stay with your child, talk about the pictures and follow their interest. Saying a word is optional: pointing, gesturing and listening are welcome. Use your home language alongside English.
How much should we do?
Choose just a few words to begin. There is no target score, streak or required finish. Pause for real-world play and stop when your child is ready.
About the audio and pictures
These original ESS illustrations and synthetic English audio support shared practice. Listen uses a saved audio file from this website. It does not turn on your microphone or record your child. If audio will not play, check your device volume or read the visible words aloud.
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Grown-up links and help
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