Early Literacy Storytime: Asking Questions

Here’s a way to model talking with kids during your storytime! You probably already do this without even thinking about it. Just add a comment to the grownups in your storytime to help them learn how it helps their children get ready to read.

Before you start reading a book in storytime, ask the children a couple of questions about what they think the story is going to be about, or what they think will happen in the story.

For instance, before you read “I Can Help,” by David Costello, you could say, “This book is called “I Can Help.” There’s a little duck on the cover. What do you think is going to happen in the story? Do you think the duckling needs help? Do you think the duckling is going to help someone else? Let’s find out.”

Then before you read the story, say to the adults, “When you ask your child questions about a book before you read it, you’re helping them learn how to make guesses about what’s going to happen. Making predictions is one way children build their comprehension skills when they are readers. So talking with your child will help them get ready to read.”

Then say to the children, “OK, let’s find out who is going to help in this story.” And read the book.