How do we make the most of the precious moments after the last page of a book? In children’s literature, the author and illustrator open a window into another world. They share a perspective and a way of making sense of a moment in time. There is so much to learn, to notice and to digest. As adults, we interpret the story through our own lens, adding a layer of our beliefs to the discussion. The concept of utilizing open-ended questions removes the influence of grownup intentions or directives. It allows the child to express their understanding, to make sense, to play, to imagine and share thoughts freely. In addition, developmentally speaking, children have typical worries and sometimes challenging life experiences that are difficult to articulate or process. When the books selected reflect this, it is an invitation to express and explore thoughts and feelings, to synthesize the story and to decrease isolation and increase connection.
It’s not just a growth of vocabulary that matters here, but what those words convey about the nature of life, of hope, of crisis, of security, of love and of despair and of family. If we add the experiences of others, in other lands, in other family configurations, in other times, to what we experience in our own limited lives, we have the world’s wealth. The capacity to be human means to understand others, to satisfy curiosity, to recognize and express compassion, to see cause and effect, to wish for justice, to seek independence, to awaken empathy. All this, and much more, begins with the ideas gained through being read to. Nothing a parent or teacher does for a child’s intellectual and social growth is more important than talking to and – by extension reading aloud to a child.”
Rebecca J. Lukens. A Critical Handbook of Children’s Literature. New York: Penguin, 2007.
One way to capitalize on the content books offer and enrich children’s experience is to keep talking after the book is finished. These conversations vary by book, by child, by day and so much more. They provide an opportunity to model thinking aloud. Here are a few examples of what these questions might sound like:
- What did you notice?
- I wonder..
- Do you have any questions?
- Does that remind you of anything?
- Why did that happen?
- What is going on here?
- Has that ever happened to you/to your friends? What did you do?
- What do you think is going to happen? *making predictions
- What would you do? *this question may be difficult for very young children.
- How do you think he/she felt? *again this may be difficult for very young children as it requires ‘metacognition’ or thinking about thinking.
As readers we “create interpretations to enrich and deepen our experience in a text,” (Debbie Miller. Reading with Meaning. Ontario: Stenhouse Publishers. 2002. pg. 115.) Even as adults we read books that help us to learn or challenge our understanding. Books can be life-changing, eye-opening and even change our belief systems. These conversations, even for a few moments and in their simplest form can heighten a child’s experience of a book.
What questions do you use? Share a few in comments.
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