Figurative Language | Parent Activity

Dear Families,

Your child is learning about figurative language - words and phrases that create pictures in our minds but don't mean exactly what they say. This makes writing more interesting and vivid! Figurative language is everywhere - in books, movies, songs, and even everyday conversation.

Simile

Uses "like" or "as"

Metaphor

Says IS (no like/as)

Idiom

Means something different

Personification

Human traits to things

Hyperbole

Exaggeration

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Activity 1: Draw It Literally!

A fun way to understand idioms

Choose an idiom from the list below.
Have your child draw what it would look like if taken LITERALLY (cats and dogs falling from the sky!).
Then discuss what the idiom REALLY means.
This silly activity helps kids remember that figurative language doesn't mean what it literally says!

Idiom: "It's raining cats and dogs!"
Literal drawing: Cats and dogs falling from clouds
Real meaning: It's raining very hard

Common Idioms to Practice

"Piece of cake" = very easy
"Break a leg" = good luck
"Under the weather" = feeling sick
"Bite off more than you can chew" = take on too much
"Cost an arm and a leg" = very expensive
"Let the cat out of the bag" = reveal a secret
"Hit the hay" = go to bed
"On cloud nine" = extremely happy

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Activity 2: Figurative Language Hunt

Find examples in books, songs, and movies

While reading together, watching a movie, or listening to songs, hunt for figurative language.
When you find one, identify the type (simile, metaphor, etc.).
Discuss what it means and why the author used it.
Keep a list of favorites!

From songs: "You are my sunshine" (metaphor)
From movies: "Life is like a box of chocolates" (simile)
From books: "The wind howled" (personification)

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Activity 3: Simile vs. Metaphor Challenge

Practice the difference

Give your child a comparison and have them say it as BOTH a simile AND a metaphor.
Remind them: Simile uses "like" or "as." Metaphor says IS.
Take turns creating comparisons!

Topic: Fast runner
Simile: "She runs like the wind."
Metaphor: "She is the wind when she runs."

Topic: Bright smile
Simile: "His smile is as bright as the sun."
Metaphor: "His smile is sunshine."

Questions to Ask About Figurative Language

"What type of figurative language is this?" (simile, metaphor, etc.)
"What does this phrase REALLY mean?"
"If we took this literally, what would it look like?"
"Why do you think the author used this comparison?"
"Can you change this simile into a metaphor?" (or vice versa)
"What picture does this create in your mind?"

Resumen en Espanol

Lenguaje figurado: Palabras que no significan literalmente lo que dicen.

Simil: Compara usando "como" (Her smile is bright like the sun)
Metafora: Dice que algo ES otra cosa (Time is money)
Modismo: Frase que significa algo diferente (It's raining cats and dogs = llueve mucho)
Personificacion: Da cualidades humanas a cosas (The wind whispered)
Hiperbole: Exageracion extrema (I've told you a million times)

Actividades: Busquen lenguaje figurado en libros y canciones. Dibujen lo que los modismos significarian literalmente. Practiquen convertir similes en metaforas.

Home Activity: Figurative Language