Questions to ask when reading with your child

Asking your child questions whilst reading together will help them to gain a better understanding of the text, develop a broader range of vocabulary and enhance their creativity. 

 

You may like to use a selection of the questions below when reading with your child:

Fiction

• Look at the front cover. What could this story be about?
• Who is the author/illustrator? What do they do?
• Where does the story take place? (setting)
• Who are the main characters in the story?
• Can you retell the story using your own words?
• Tell me what this character was like?
• Tell me the most interesting/exciting/funniest/your favourite part of the story? Why?
• What do you think the character feels about...? How can you tell?
• What do you think would have happened if…?
• What do you think is going to happen next? Can you guess the ending?
• Which part of this book did you like best/least? Why?
• How has the author used words/phrases to make this character funny/sad/clever/frightening/excited etc.?
• Do you like the way the story ended? Can you think of a different ending?
• Do you know any more stories like this? Tell me how they are alike.
• Do you know another story with similar characters in? Tell me how they are similar.
• Has anything like this ever happened to you?

 

Non Fiction

• Tell me two things you found out that you didn’t know before.
• What does this part of the text tell us about ….?
• Which part of the text tells us about …? 
• Why are some words in bold?
• How does this text/layout help the reader?
• How does a diagram/picture/caption help you to understand the information on this page?
• What can you use to help you find the information you need quickly?
• How does a glossary help us?