How to Ask Questions That Help Children Truly Understand Stories

When children listen to stories, their brains are doing much more than following a plot. Research in early literacy shows that comprehension develops through interaction rather than passive listening (Snow et al., 1998). What makes the biggest difference is not how many books are read, but how children are invited to think about them afterward.

For example, many adults naturally ask questions like, “What color was the dog?” or “What was the character’s name?” While these questions are not harmful, they mostly test memory. They don’t help children understand meaning. A more helpful question might be, “Why do you think the dog ran away?” or “How do you think the character felt when that happened?” These types of questions invite children to think beyond facts and into understanding.

Open ended questions are especially powerful in early development. Prompts such as “What would you have done?” or “What do you think might happen next?” encourage children to reason, imagine, and reflect (Vygotsky, 1978). In contrast, questions like “Did you like the story, yes or no?” tend to shut the conversation down quickly and limit expression.

Stories also provide a natural opportunity to talk about emotions. When adults ask children, “How did that part make you feel?” or “Why do you think the character was sad?” children begin practicing emotional awareness. Research in emotional intelligence shows that naming emotions supports self regulation and empathy (Goleman, 1995). Avoid rushing past emotional moments in stories. These are often where the deepest learning happens.

Literacy research emphasizes prediction and reflection as key comprehension strategies (Duke & Pearson, 2002). Instead of reading straight through without pauses, parents can stop and ask, “What do you think is going to happen next?” After finishing, asking “What part do you remember the most?” helps children organize and retain meaning. Questions like “What was your favorite part?” are helpful when followed by “Why do you think that part stood out to you?”

There is also a creative side to meaningful questioning. Asking children to imagine a different ending or to retell the story in their own words activates both logical thinking and imagination. Educational research often refers to this as whole brain learning, where analytical and creative processes work together (Sousa, 2011). This kind of thinking strengthens comprehension while keeping reading joyful.

Parents do not need to ask many questions for storytime to be effective. One or two thoughtful prompts are enough. When children feel that their ideas matter, they engage more deeply. Over time, they begin asking their own questions, which is one of the strongest signs of growing literacy, confidence, and independent thinking.