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?