Years ago, I bribed my then-teenage son with Cardinals tickets to read my favorite novel. As we began the drive to St. Louis, I looked forward to hearing all these insights bubbling out of him. But the book that began unfolding from his mind was like a house with no furniture. He was looking forward to the trip and the game, but the book held no joy for him! He had dutifully kept his end of the bargain. But the proud parent in me had forgotten what the teacher had learned long ago. Regardless of intelligence, reflection is not automatic. Some assembly is required along the way!
When kids are very young, we’re often reading with them. As kids get older and more independent, asking about their reading gives them a chance to pull their own thoughts and feelings together as they make deeper sense of what they’ve read. Here are four conversation starters you can use, even if you’ve never read the book!
What in this story is grabbing your attention? This is a great entry point because it tells you as much about your child as about the book! As she speaks, listen for emotions: Did this part make her feel sad, angry, excited, or maybe surprised? If you ask this question frequently, you’ll get a feel over time for how your child reads.
What in this story is reminding you of something in your life? Most kids like to picture things in their minds as they read. To them, a barn in the story might look like the barn down your road.
What character in this story you would want to be… or NOT want to be? Characters are people, and we all know people! Kids who struggle with many things about reading often find traction here.
What in this story do you wish you could change? This question engages the imagination and reasoning together. Could this story happen in a different time or place and still be the same story?Listen especially for complaints about “boring” parts or disappointing endings. When something in a story seems pointless to us, that’s often where we’re missing pieces we need to understand and enjoy it more fully.
When kids read, they’re often looking for things they can connect to personally. For example, a boy who’s reading for action may pass right over a character’s thoughts and feelings… and miss how those are about to shape the action that happens next! Often reading improves as we begin to ask ourselves new questions, especially questions like “Why do you think this person did this thing?”. When we engage with kids about what they’re reading, we’re not only showing them that their reading matters but also modeling the curiosity that helps make reading better.
A classroom veteran, George Rietz encourages teachers, teaches homeschoolers, and invents new tools to reshape education. Contact him through ExploreMyWriting.com .
