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It is important to ask your children open-ended questions, because it helps them in sharing their ideas about reading. And with that they tend to build their super reading strengths that affect their confidence and courage as readers. All of this has a powerful impact when they go to school and improves their ability to speak in front of many other children.

Some of those powerful questions:

1. Would you want to participate in reading this story?
2. What happened so far?
3. What do you think might happen next?
4. Is there something you are getting curious to see more about as you are reading?
5. Ask your child a question that he or she can relate to in real life. For instance, if the story involves camping, ask your child if he remembers a time he went camping or if he/she would like to go camping. If the book features a favorite animal, ask your child what he or she knows about that type of animal. ¹
6. What are you wondering more about as we read more in the book?
7. If you had to describe what we are reading in five words, what will you say?
8. Do you agree or disagree with the author?
9. Did this book change your mind about something?
10. What have you learned from this book?
11. If you could change the title of the book, what would it be?
12. If you could change the ending of the book, how would you end it?
13. Who is your favorite character in the book and why?
14. Do you want to read more books in the future? ²
15. What theme interests you most? (animals, dinosaurs, princesses, knights, friendship, courage, love…)

Dr. Samir Matar

Pediatrician

¹  https://www.kidsacademy.mobi/storytime/questions-while-reading/#:~:text=Depending%20on%20the%20cover%20or%20pictures%20surrounding%20a,or%20she%20knows%20about%20that%20type%20of%20animal.

² Engage, Motivate, Connect: Top 20 Super Reading Conversation Starters By Pam Ally- https://www.scholastic.com/worldofpossible/sites/default/files/PamAllyn_20_Questions_to_Get_Kids_Talking_About_Books.pdf