10 casual questions to ask when reading books with your kids

Sitting down to read with my kids before bed is, hands-down, my favorite part of our day. It’s the snuggles, sure, and the quality time together sans distractions, but it’s also the fact that we get to talk about books—and I get a little more insight into their minds (and mindset) than I might at the dinner table, say. 

Asking open-ended questions while reading with your child can work to foster reading comprehension—but it doesn’t have to be anything formal. If the term “reading comprehension” brings up thoughts of standardized tests you took in school, that’s not quite what I’m talking about here. Asking questions while reading is a great way to see how much your child is following along with the story, but these types of open questions can also encourage empathy, critical thinking and communication—and just jumpstart a great conversation between you and your child. 

“​​I love so many children’s books. They give such an amazing opportunity to have meaningful moments, short spurts of conversation,” explained parenting expert Dr. Becky Kennedy in a 2023 New York Times interview. “I might say, ‘Hmm, I wonder what that character is going to do,’ or ‘What do you think happens at the end of the book?’ or ‘That reminds me of being that age. Did you know I was also left out?’”

Of course, the goal isn’t necessarily to get a “right” answer from your child, but rather to promote conversation, encourage them to think deeply, and foster a love for reading. It’s helpful to adjust your questions based on the content of the book and what you feel is appropriate for your child’s age and stage. But the real key? To make reading an interactive, engaging and enjoyable experience.

Here are 10 casual questions to ask kids about books

1. “What do you think will happen next?”
2. “How do you think the character feels right now?”
3. “What’s happening in this picture?”
4. “Why do you think the character did that?”
5. “Can you remember a time when you felt like the character did?”
6. “How would you describe this place?”
7. “Would you want to be friends with this character?”
8. “Do you know what this word means?”
9. “Who else in our family would like this book?”
10. “Does this story remind you of anything we’ve done or seen?”

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Reading with my kids is one of my favorite things to do as a parent (the snuggles! The stories!), but when it was time for my kids to start learning how to read on their own, I felt a little lost. I’m not an early education expert nor a Montessori guru, but luckily, the pros at Lovevery are. The newly launched Reading Skill Set is a three-part system (sold together or separately) that has everything you need to help your child gain confidence as a reader and build on skills they’ve already learned. No more boring phonics flashcards you have to work to make seem fun. No more endless workbooks and outdated texts. Instead, there’s a storytelling village to set up and explore, and a crossword building game that’ll turn on their thinking caps and actually engage them in play. Whether your kiddo is just getting familiar with letter sounds, is already reading simple 3-sound words or is onto chapter books, there’s a kit that meets them where they are—and challenges them appropriately. Best of all? The games, books and tools included are so fun, they’ll forget they’re actually learning. Which, during the summer months, is a real win!

– Jessica D’Argenio Waller, Motherly’s Editorial Director

Reading with your children can be more than just a bedtime ritual or a means to develop early literacy skills. It provides a unique window into their thoughts, feelings and interpretations of the world. By engaging in open-ended discussions about the stories we read, we not only foster their cognitive and emotional growth, but also build a stronger bond of understanding and intimacy.

A version of this story was originally published on Oct. 13, 2023. It has been updated.