Daily Tips for Families

Today's Tip for Families

07-07-2022

Ask Questions When Reading

You can help your child develop thinking skills just by asking questions. For example, after you read a story such as Goldilocks and the Three Bears, ask your elementary schooler some basic questions about it, such as:

What was the story about?
Why do you think the bears left their home?

Then, to encourage deeper thinking, ask your child to analyze information from the story. Ask questions such as:

How were the bears alike and different?
How were the bears like people?
Which bear is most like you? Why?

You can also promote thinking by asking your child to use information from the story in a new way. For example, you might suggest that your child:

Show you what Goldilocks did when she sat in the chairs.
Write a sign that should have been posted at the edge of the forest.
Make a puppet from a paper bag and use it to act out part of the story.
Make a time line of what happened in the story.

Finally, encourage your child to express opinions based on facts from the story. Ask:

What do you think Goldilocks learned by going into the house?
What lesson can you learn from this story?
Why do you think this story has always been popular?

Brought to you by:

Boise City Independent School District

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