Toto in Lisbon

Start with what they notice. Look at Nina together and ask, “What do you notice about her face?” Let your child choose the feeling. If they need help, try, “Do you think she feels sad, frustrated, or something else?”

Make room for their view. Reflect their answer: “You think she feels left out because she wants to join in.” Ask, “What could Toto say to help her feel understood?” Different answers are welcome.

Bring it closer to home. If your child wants to, talk about a time they wanted to join in but couldn’t. Listen before offering a solution. You might say, “That sounds disappointing. What would have helped?” They can stay with Nina’s story if sharing feels uncomfortable.

Follow their curiosity. Let your child choose a picture. Ask, “What makes you want to go there?” Build on what they say rather than checking whether they remember a place name.

Imagine being there. Try, “What might we hear or smell?” or “What would you ask someone who lives here?” You can draw a pretend day in Lisbon or act out ordering a pastry.

Open another window. Notice something familiar and something new: “We have bakeries too. What looks different here?” Avoid presenting one way of life as better or treating everyone in a country as the same. Choose one genuine question to explore together. “I don’t know. Let’s find out” is a useful answer.

Keep it small and familiar. Share a simple example, such as finding another way to carry something. Then ask, “Have you ever tried a different way?” If nothing comes to mind, return to how Toto helps Nina.

Explore the thinking. Ask one follow-up: “What did you notice?” or “What made you try that?” Acknowledge the specific effort: “You changed your plan when you saw that wasn’t working.”

Try together, without a test. Build a little paper bridge or find two ways to move a toy. Ask, “What else could we try?” Make room for playful ideas and pauses. If it becomes frustrating, take a break or offer help. Trying another way includes knowing when to ask someone.

Be partners, not competitors. Let your child decide where to start. Ask, “Where shall we look first?” Search together without a timer, and let them point instead of naming every detail.

Offer a clue, not the answer. If they get stuck, ask whether they would like a hint. Try, “Shall we look higher up?” Give them time to notice. Count together if they enjoy it, but finding all twelve is not the goal of your time together.

Wonder about the details. Ask, “Which hiding place surprised you?” or “Where would you hide a sardine?” They could draw their own hiding place. Stop while it still feels fun, even if some sardines remain undiscovered.

Welcome their interpretation. Ask, “What do you think Toto means?” Wait before explaining. Your child might give a literal, funny or unexpected answer. Try, “Tell me more about your idea.”

Connect it to the story. Ask, “Nina thought a fish couldn’t explore a city. What did Toto notice that made another way possible?” Let your child show you in the pictures or act out their answer.

Imagine another possibility. Try, “What other adventure could Toto and Nina have together?” Draw, invent or tell a little story. You don’t need to arrive at a polished lesson. The invitation is to wonder together and notice that a first idea isn’t always the only one.