Easy read and translate
Comic strip conversations
- 5-11 Years
- 11-19 Years
- SEND
- Speech, language and communication
Comic strip conversations are a helpful tool to show children and young people what others are thinking, feeling as well as saying. They make the abstract more concrete when thinking about how thoughts relate to what we say.
Parents and carers can use this information at home to support their child. Education staff can also use this information with children in their school or setting.
Please try these ideas and advice before making a referral to the Speech and Language Therapy Service.
Explore the topics on this page:
Understanding comic strip conversations
Understanding comic strip conversations
Comic strip conversations can help children and young people to:
- understand their own emotions
- build empathy
- see situations from other people's point of view
- understand abstract concepts
- understand what others are thinking and how it relates to what they say
A comic strip conversation does not need to be a detailed illustration. You can use stick figures or find images online.
How to create a comic strip conversation
- Divide a whiteboard or piece of paper into 6 equal sized boxes.
- Use your own situation the first time you try this.
- Draw stick people with what they are saying in speech bubbles. You can also draw a little background information to help.
- Go back to each box and fill in your own thoughts. Then ask the child to think about what the other person in the situation may have been thinking. Encourage them to make sensible guesses.
- Draw the situation with your child and show how you make sensible guesses about others thoughts and feelings.
- Encourage the child to correct or add to your guesses.
- Use spare boxes or another piece of paper, to show how changing thoughts, speech or actions can lead to a different outcome.
Top tips
- Begin with thoughts and speech. Then move on to things the child may need to practise, such as not interrupting or speaking more quietly.
- Over time, leave out parts of the comic strip, and allow the child to correct or add more details.
- Share 1 pen between you and the child to slow the conversation down.
- Start your drawing in the second box, as something always happens before the main situation. Adding extra boxes at the end also helps to show different outcomes.
- Keep a record of progress by underlining the child’s ideas and take a copy of the drawings to look back on.
Last reviewed: 25 November, 2025
