> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.edzo.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Pictograph Block

> Learn how to use Pictograph blocks to display interactive picture graphs in your resources.

The **Pictograph** block displays an interactive pictograph (picture graph) where pictures represent quantities. Use it to demonstrate data representation, comparison, and early graphing concepts.

This is a display block for teaching and demonstration. learners can view the pictograph and understand how pictures represent data.

<Info>
  For assessable pictograph activities where learners build graphs, use the [Pictograph Question](/creating/resources/question-blocks/pictograph-question) block instead.
</Info>

## When to use Pictograph blocks

Pictograph blocks work well for:

* Demonstrating how to read pictographs
* Showing data from surveys or observations
* Teaching that pictures can represent quantities
* Introducing graphing concepts to young learners
* Comparing quantities visually

## Settings

### Layout settings

<ParamField path="Layout" default="horizontal" type="select">
  The orientation of the pictograph:

  * **Horizontal**: Categories displayed in rows
  * **Vertical**: Categories displayed in columns
</ParamField>

### Image settings

<ParamField path="Image fit" default="cover" type="select">
  How images are displayed within items: **cover** (fills the space, may crop) or **contain** (shows entire image).
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Image size" default="md" type="select">
  The size of images: **small**, **medium**, or **large**.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Image padding" default="none" type="select">
  Padding around images in the pictograph.
</ParamField>

### Configuring the pictograph

A pictograph has two components:

* **Items**: The picture symbols that represent data (e.g., apples, stars)
* **Buckets**: The categories being compared (e.g., "Monday", "Tuesday")

Each item can have a value (e.g., each apple = 2) and you control how many appear in each bucket.

## Tips for teachers and parents

**Best practices:**

* Start with pictographs where each picture = 1 before introducing scaled pictographs
* Use familiar, relatable images that connect to the data topic
* Keep the number of categories manageable (2–4 for beginners)
* Include a key showing what each picture represents
* Use alongside explanatory text to guide interpretation
* Progress to Pictograph Question blocks once learners can read pictographs

## Related blocks

* [Pictograph Question](/creating/resources/question-blocks/pictograph-question). Assessable version where learners build pictographs