For example, after you read a story such as Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Ask some basic questions about the story:

• What was the story about?
• Why did the bears leave their home?

Then move your child to a higher level of thinking by asking her to analyze information from the story. Ask questions such as:

• How were the bears alike and different?
• How were the bears like people?
• Which bear is most like your friend Amy? Like you?

You can also help your child think in new ways by asking her to use information from the story in a new way. For example:

• Show me what Goldilocks did when she sat in the chairs.
• Write a sign that should have been placed at the edge of the forest.
• Make a puppet from a paper bag. Use it to act out part of the story.
• Make a time line of what happened in the story.

Finally, encourage your child to express her opinions based on facts from the story Ask:

• What did Goldilocks learn by going into the house?
• What lesson can you learn from this story?
• Why do you think this story has always been popular?

Copyright © Parent Institute