The Preschooler

Before and After a Story

As you sit down with your child to read her a story, there are several things you can do to help your child get the most out of her storytelling experience.  Children at this young age are typically willing to sit and listen to a story from start to finish.  However, you want to actively engage them in the story in order to get them thinking about what they are hearing.  Here are some simple suggestions for questions you can ask both before and after reading a story with your child.

Before

• What is happening in the picture on the cover?
• Who do you think the main person/character will be in the story?
• What do you think will happen in this story?
• Is this story real or imaginary?
• What do you know about ____? (something on the cover or in the title)

After

• Did what you thought would happen in the story actually happen?
• What was the problem in the story?
• How was the problem fixed?
• Why do you think the author wrote this story?
• How would you have written the story differently?  (This is a great one to extend into a writing lesson even if it is just with pictures.)

Keep in mind that you do not need to ask all of these questions, and these are simply a guide.  Once you begin to get into the habit of asking questions like these before and after stories, you will be able to come up with many more of your own.  Your child will also get in the habit of answering them.

Digg Delicious Favorites Blogmarks Magnolia Google Newsvine Reddit Technorati

Written by BRWI Staff on November 10, 2010