Read a story from the child's story book; have him make pictures of the story as you read; when you have finished, let him tell the story from his Mind's Eye picture, and see how completely he can retell it. If points are omitted, call the child's attention to them and help him to include them in his picture. When several children are together have one retell the story and the others add what they can to it. See to it that the retelling is from visual pictures. This is excellent training for future school work. Two Results of Visualization Beside the memory value of visual impressions of the story there is another important result. You cannot visualize the thing that you do not understand. If you do know about it you can see it clearly. If the child has difficulty in picturing what you have been reading it may be because he does not understand it. Here is your opportunity to explain and add to his definite knowledge. Visualization results in increased understanding and in a greater ability to remember. These are the important results sought in study and the formation of this habit in your children will pay wonderful dividends in their education. Learning Poetry and Prose The value of the mind's eye picture will be much appreciated when the child comes to learning verbatim. Every author has a picture in mind which he describes in words. He attempts to make the word description so clear that those who read will also see the picture. Children who have not yet learned to read will naturally form pictures in their minds as you read the story. When you wish to have the child learn the story or poem, the mind's eye picture will be of the greatest aid. Practice with some of the examples following; make clear pictures and review them several times; aid the child in understanding the words that he finds are difficult. Note the pictures described by the authors in the following poems and prose selections. The Land of Story Books At evening when the lamp is lit, Around the fire my parents sit; They sit at home and talk and sing, And do not play at any thing. Now with my little gun I crawl, All in the dark, along the wall, And follow round the forest track Away behind the sofa back. There in the night, where none can spy, All in my hunter's camp I lie, And play at books that I have read, Till it is time to go to bed. * * * * * So, when my nurse comes in for me, Home I return across the sea, And go to bed with backward looks At my dear land of story books. --Robert Louis Stevenson. The Hare and the Tortoise A hare boasted loudly to a tortoise of her speed in running, at the same time giving him a look of scorn because of his slowness. "Let us have a race," answered the tortoise. "I will run with you five miles, and the fox over yonder shall be the judge." The hare with a scornful smile agreed, and away they started together.