school
This is a school.
← All first-word topicsPlaces
Out in the world · AGES 3–5 · WITH A GROWN-UP
Places
Places in our world.
Explore these places with a grown-up. Listen and point to a place you know from your neighbourhood, a picture or a story.
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.
park
This is a park.
shop
This is a shop.
library
This is a library.
hospital
This is a hospital.
beach
This is a beach.
Grown-up tip for this topic
Shop and store often mean the same thing. These are cartoon examples: schools, libraries and hospitals look different around the world. A library lends books; a shop sells things. There is no need to have visited every place.
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 pretend neighbourhood
Draw two familiar places. Let your child point to where a toy or drawn character could go. Name the place together: ‘A park.’ Take turns choosing.
Use imaginary places if you wish. No journey or real visit is needed.
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
These links open the main ESS website, which has a different experience and privacy arrangements. Please keep control of the device when leaving Kids.