Many children enjoy reading books, magazines, and online material. However, very few of them take the time to think about what they read, analyze it, or discuss it. Reading comprehension is a crucial part of school curricula, standardized testing, and preparation for college.
A great way to encourage your child’s reading comprehension is to show interest in his or her work. We suggest reading the same book or article that your child enjoys reading — and then you can have a “book talk.” This is a conversation that involves both of your perspectives (i.e. thoughts, feelings, and analysis of the work). It is a great technique to strengthen your child’s comprehension, thinking skills, and creativity.
The key to having a successful book talk is to remember that this is a conversation, not an interrogation! It should be a back-and-forth discussion about various aspects of the book. The conversation should allow your child to express his/her ideas and thoughts about the characters, plot, theme, or any other aspect that he or she finds interesting.
Encourage your children to express their feelings and observations. It can become a creative discussion and can lead into an exploration about politics, sports, or entertainment. You can draw out similarities and relate the story to personal experiences that you can share with your child. Just remember, there are no hard rules for a “book talk.”
Here are some sample discussion questions to consider:
1. What did you like about the book?
2. What did you dislike about the book?
3. Did the character make the right decision? Why or why not? What would you do?
4. Would this book make a good movie? Who would star in it?
5. Did you like the ending of the book? Why or why not?
6. If you were writing a sequel to this book, what would happen right after the book ends?
7. Let’s act out this scene…
8. What do you think the message of this story is?
“Book talks” can be a great way to spend quality time with your children while engaging their reading comprehension.
Would you like to learn more about making “book talks” fun and effective?
Contact us today for a complimentary consultation.