How Do I Know My Child Is Reading?

This is in response to another parent question. A parent recently told me that she does set up a time for her child to read every night; however, she did not know if the child was really reading or if the child was simply going through the motions. How, she asks, can she verify that the child is really reading.

It is as simple as having a conversation with the child. It's always good to talk to your child about what he or she is reading. Here are some questions to ask your child to get you started.

1. Have you had trouble reading any part of your book? Which part? What did you do when you had trouble?



2. What is one question you’d like to ask the author about this book?



3. Did the author tell you everything you wanted to know about __________? What else would you like to know?



4. [for fiction] Who is this story about? What problem does that character have?



5. [for fiction] Can you tell me three events in the order in which they have happened so far?



6. [for nonfiction] What is the main idea of this part? What are some details that the author gives to support that idea?



7. [for nonfiction] Can you tell me in a few sentences what this part is about?



8. [Read aloud a passage containing strong imagery.] What picture do you see in your mind when you hear or read this?]



9. Has any part of this book reminded you of something in your own life?



10. What do you think will happen next?



11. [for nonfiction] What facts does the book give about this subject? What conclusion can you make in your head about those facts?



12. [for fiction] How do you think the character is feeling right now? Why do you think that?



13. What is the most important bit of information you’ve read so far?

For my own children, I like to recommend to them books that I have read, or sometimes I pick up two copies of the same book if I think they would be interested in the title. That way we can have conversations about the book.

Also, you might get a subscription of his or her favorite magazine. Two of my children's favorite magazines are People and Entertainment Weekly. Every Friday they race to the mailbox to get the week's copy! Since these two magazines usually feature celebrities, it is easy to start a conversation about a certain person or a certain article in the magazine.