by Paris S. Strom and Robert D. Strom
The following photographs are each presenting a different theme that can be used for discussion between children and their parents, grandparents or other relatives, or educators. Next to each photo are listed several questions. Each question is designed to call for a different type of thinking as described below.
Hypothesis means guessing or making hunches about a given situation.
Classification requires placing different ideas or things into particular groups with shared qualities.
Comparison involves ideas or things in order to see relevant similarities or differences.
Definition calls for basic understanding of a concept.
Illustration requires generating examples of an idea.
Origin means tracing back an idea to its basic parts or to the time when it started.
Quantitative requires counting or estimating numeric amounts of something.
These questions can be used to help families have effective discussions that promote sharing and learning. These photos (as well as any that you have) can be used just as parts of a film or TV show can also be used towards the same goal of facilitating discussions. Questions, when well-formed, can spark thinking, sharing, and learning! The reason why hypothesis questions are shown first is to encourage parents or other educators to ask this type of question since it was found in research by Strom to be the most valued type of thinking as expressed by parents yet the least asked type of question. So, having it first can push those who work with children to give this form of thinking a higher priority than is normally given.
You can choose certain pictures of interest and then use the associated questions for the chosen photo for discussion. You do not have to go through each full set of questions for each photo unless you wish to do so. The whole aim of this resource is to have many discussions, over time, as a way to spark conversations, thinking, and sharing. This is the reason why there are so many photos and why each photo has six or sometimes seven questions.
The last few pictures are left for you to think of questions of your choice and the question types are there as a prompt! This resource is designed to be used by families over many different visits. Please see references and the notes on proper use, which are at the bottom of this webpage.
Snowman
Hypothesis: What do you suppose the boy is telling the snowman?
Classification: What season of the year was it when this picture was taken?
Comparison: Which of them is wearing the most clothes and why?
Definition: What is a snowman?
Illustration: What other things are fun to make out of snow?
Origin: What season of the year was it when this picture was taken?
Birthday
Hypothesis: What do you guess is the birthday wish he is making?
Classification: How many candles are there on the birthday cake this grandmother made for the boy?
Comparison: Is the person blowing out birthday candles older or younger than the other person?
Definition: How does it feel to have a birthday party that relatives enjoy too?
Illustration: What other things do you like to do on a birthday?
Origin: How could you find out the age of someone in your family without asking them?
Parade
Hypothesis: What do you suppose these people have come to see?
Classification: Where do you see some round shapes in this parade everyone is watching?
Comparison: Who seems to be the biggest one in this parade?
Definition: What does it mean to be a part of a parade watched by everyone?
Illustration: What are some parades that you were able to watch?
Origin: Where is the home of this parade that occurs the same time each year?
Child with pigeons
Hypothesis: Why do you suppose all of the birds are around this child? What does it feel and sound like to feed pigeons?
Classification: In what ways do the birds look different from each other?
Comparison: Why are some birds closer to the boy than others?
Definition: Describe the clothes the child is wearing.
Illustration: Where else have you seen pigeons? What else do pigeons like to do together?
Origin: Tell me about a time when you fed an animal a special treat.
Quantitative: How many birds do you see in this picture? What do you think is the age of this child who is trying to feed the pigeons?
Boys fighting
Hypothesis: What do you suppose this man is doing with the boys?
Classification: Which people are watching the fight?
Comparison: Which of these people will be getting in trouble?
Definition: What does it mean to break the school rules about having fights?
Illustration: What else could the boys do to get along better?
Origin: What do you think caused the boys to start a fight that will get them in trouble?
Young cowboy
Hypothesis: Who do you suppose the little boy is pretending to be?
Classification: What colors are this boy wearing as he plays in the yard?
Comparison: How do you know the cowboy is ready to fight?
Definition: What does it mean to become a cowboy in your own backyard?
Illustration: What things do you have in common with this cowboy?
Origin: When did the idea of carrying a gun to provide safety for others begin?
Sandcastle and waves
Hypothesis: What do you suppose will happen to this sand castle?
Classification: What is the color of this sand castle that the water waves are taking down?
Comparison: How is this sand castle going to change soon?
Definition: What does it mean to have the waves come in higher to the shore?
Illustration: What other things do you like to make out of sand?
Origin: When do you believe this sand castle in the water is going to disappear?
Dinosaur
Hypothesis: How is the man able to hold this animal up in the air?
Classification: What is the name of the animal the father seems to be holding up in the air?
Comparison: Which person is holding on to the dinosaur tail?
Definition: How much do you know about when dinosaurs were living?
Illustration: What animals are as big as this kind of a dinosaur?
Origin: How long ago do you think it has been since dinosaurs were around?
Girls painting
Hypothesis: What do you suppose the girls will be painting?
Classification: What activity are these girls doing together?
Comparison: Which of the girls seems to be looking right at you?
Definition: What are the girls talking about while they paint?
Illustration: What other ways can you make a picture?
Origin: When did you paint a picture at school for your parents?
Pretending
Hypothesis: What are these two people doing?
Classification: Which of these two people is wearing an old man mask?
Comparison: Which of these people is the smallest?
Definition: What does it mean when you pretend? What is a costume?
Illustration: How do you like to pretend? Who do you like to be when you pretend?
Origin: When do people wear costumes?
Horses
Hypothesis: What do you suppose these horses are talking about? If you were with these horses now, what would you do?
Classification: Which of these animals are horses?
Comparison: Which horse is standing closest to you?
Illustration: Tell me about when you rode a horse or saw someone ride a horse.
Definition: Tell me some things that horses do every day.
Origin: Where have you seen horses?
Kids visit fort
Hypothesis: What do you guess boys and girls like about this place?
Classification: Where do soldiers stay inside the fort?
Comparison: Where should the children go in case of an attack?
Definition: What does it mean to children to be able to play at a fort like this?
Illustration: What other places have you seen flying a flag?
Origin: How long do you think it took for someone to build this fort for children?
Boats
Hypothesis: What are these kids watching that is in the water?
Classification: What color is the one that shows in the picture more than any other color?
Comparison: Where is the water deep or shallow in this lake?
Definition: What does it mean for these kids to have their own life jackets?
Illustration: What may be in the water that you cannot see?
Origin: What was the first time you were on a lake in a boat?
Adventure playground
Hypothesis: What do you suppose these kids are doing together?
Classification: What is the name of the thing that these kids are trying to build together?
Comparison: Which one of these people is working by alone?
Definition:What is wood? Where does it come from?
Illustration: What would you like to build with a friend?
Origin: How long does it take the kids to plan building a hut like this one?
Boys fishing
Hypothesis: What do you suppose these children are waiting for?
Classification: Which of these fishermen are patiently waiting for fish to bite on their pole?
Comparison: What do you think both of the boys are waiting for?
Definition: What does it mean to become a fisherman who shows patience?
Illustration: What do these boys hope is going to happen soon?
Origin: How long should it take for the boys to get a bite when they are fishing?
Girls in a wading pool
Hypothesis: What do you suppose all these girls are doing together?
Classification: What color is the wading pool? Name two colors that are on the girl’s bathing suits.
Comparison: Which girl is standing outside of the wading pool?
Definition: What does it mean to take turns so everyone can enjoy the water?
Illustration: What are some other ways that kids can get wet?
Origin: What do you remember about being in a wading pool with your friends?
Child and mother playing together
Hypothesis: Why do you guess this child likes to play with his mother?
Classification: Which person is the helper for the boy who is building with his blocks?
Comparison: Who is the person trying to build with blocks?
Definition: What does it mean to become a play partner with your mother?
Illustration: How does your mother help when you are at play?
Origin: How long has your mother watched you play and pretended with you?
Kids playing in sand
Hypothesis: Why do you guess the children are enjoying themselves?
Classification: How many children are there on this beach playing together in the mud?
Comparison: Which one of these children appears to be clean?
Definition: What does it mean to use mud for building whatever you want to?
Illustration: What other things can you do when playing in the mud?
Origin: How long do you think boys and girls have wanted to play in the mud?
Penguins
Hypothesis: If you could walk with the penguins, where would you go?
Comparison: Which penguin is first in line?
Classification: What kind of animal is walking with this boy?
Definition: Think of this one.
Illustration: Where else have you seen penguins?
Origin: Where do most penguins live?
Playing in the fountains — Ask your own questions!
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Riding a horse — Ask your own questions!
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Ape — Ask your own questions!
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Playing in the snow — Ask your own questions!
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Reference:
Strom, P. S., & Strom, R. D. (2025). Parents and Grandparents as Teachers: Supporting Child Development from Infancy through Age 8. New York: Routledge.
Notes on proper use: All materials on this page are copywritten by Robert D. Strom & Paris S. Strom (Copyright 2025). These are intended only for use by families and by educators who work directly with families, free of charge. These materials are intended for use when directly on this website. You may link to this website for use but out of respect for copyright, please do not copy the materials (photos, questions, instructions) and place them on other websites or in publications. For all inquires and to give any feedback, please contact Dr. Paris Strom at stromps@auburn.edu