Saturday, March 12, 2011

What Happens Next?

After you and your child have finished reading a story together and closed the book, ask him, "What do you think happens next?" or " What happens the next day?" This kind of thinking helps your child in a few ways. First and foremost, it is fun to imagine a continuation or to create an alternative ending to a story. It also encourages your child to use what he already knows about a character or a situation and run with it—to spin some educated guesses based on that information. That is making inferences, a skill he will use in school and in life. But for now, unburdened by finding right answers, he is simply stretching his creativity and engaging in some storytelling of his own.
Posted by madforreading at Saturday, March 12, 2011

8 comments:

  1. Carol March 12, 2011 at 9:00 AM

    Great tip, thanks.

    Used to do this at school with older children, but I guess it is never too early to start asking these q's.

    carol

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  2. madforreadingMarch 12, 2011 at 9:14 AM

    Exactly! Those reading strategies can really enhance reading time with younger children as well.

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  3. mombo880March 12, 2011 at 11:16 AM

    I'm a director at a preschool and we talk about literacy all the time! Some parents really care about it and others don't. You can tell the kids that are read to. There is usually a huge difference between the two. Thanks for your tips!

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  4. SarahMarch 14, 2011 at 3:30 PM

    This is perfect! I have been reading to my kids since they were babies and I am so glad that I did! I am a new follower from Bloggy moms, I would love if you could stop by www.mooseandtater.com

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  5. ThaiHoa BurroughsMarch 15, 2011 at 6:55 AM

    What a great idea. I never thought to do this.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Cam - Bibs and BaublesMarch 15, 2011 at 8:59 PM

    I have stumbled up on your blog a few times. I really like it. Great suggestion! As much as my son loves books he'd love that idea - once he can talk a little better. He's 1 :) I am now a follower!

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  7. Ramblings Of A Stay At Home MomMarch 17, 2011 at 1:55 PM

    I love your tips and tricks!!! http://www.ramblingsofastayathomemom.com/2011/03/we-received-another-award.html

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  8. AnonymousMarch 21, 2011 at 9:35 PM

    Wow! Thank you for that post. My daughter is seven years old, and she is the stage of not focusing as well as I know she can in a school setting. When we're at home she reads well, but the notes we get from the teacher is that she is not doing so well. :-(

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What I think . . .

There are all kinds of readers. Some—like my daughter and me—are never without a book to read for pleasure. Others—like my son—are careful, analytical, and curious readers who read primarily to seek information from the page.


No matter what kind of reader your child becomes, you can help him or her get started. After all, you are your child’s first teacher. And, best of all, you can have some fun in the process.


Please feel free to share your own ideas. Tell me about ways you've enjoyed reading with your child.


Madeline Boskey, Ph.D.