About this read-along picture book
I can! is a age 2-3 · 3-4 words a page picture book from the Golu picture-book shelf, part of the "Things we do" week in Golu's Day. Each page has one picture and one line, so a child who cannot read yet can still follow along by listening and looking. The line is read aloud in your child's first language, with the second language underneath, which is what makes it a true read-along story book for kids rather than a page of text.
Who this story is for
It suits children 2-3 years old: three or four words on a page, for a toddler who is still collecting first words. Older or younger children can still enjoy it; the pictures carry the meaning.
What your child learns here
Listening to a story read aloud builds vocabulary, the idea that print carries meaning, and the habit of following a story from the first page to the last. This one also teaches the words for things we do, which is the theme of this week in the daily plan.
The story in words
Here is the whole text, in case you would like to read it yourself or print it:
- I can run. मैं दौड़ सकता हूँ।
- I can jump. मैं कूद सकता हूँ।
- I can climb. मैं चढ़ सकता हूँ।
- I can dance. मैं नाच सकता हूँ।
- I can sing. मैं गा सकता हूँ।
- What can you do? तुम क्या कर सकते हो?
How to read this book with your child
Read it three times, not three books once
- First time: let Golu read. Point at the picture while the line plays.
- Second time: pause before the last word and let your child say it.
- Third time: ask "what happens next?" before turning the page. Remembering the order is the first step of reading comprehension.
Take it off the screen
I can run — find the real thing at home and say the line again. A story a child can touch is remembered twice as well as a story they only watched.
In your language
This book is read aloud in 34 languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali, Arabic, Spanish and Japanese. Choose your language with the button at the top of the page and the whole book changes, text and voice together.
Now do it for real
When the screen goes off, do something with your hands. Try 🎸 Rubber band guitar — an easy craft for ages 4-6, with every step read aloud in your language. You will need an empty box or a tin, four or five rubber bands; nothing that needs a trip to a shop.
There are 56 more on the things to do at home page, and free printable worksheets if you would rather have something on paper. Ten minutes on a screen and twenty minutes off it is a good shape for a day at this age.