Ask Questions, But Don't Make Reading Aloud Into a Test

Dads should ask lots of questions, but stay away• Why? Asking 'Why?' is an all-purpose way to
from too many teacher-type questions thatencourage question to think.
make read aloud time into a test.Please notice how these questions differ from the
Here are some questions they might ask:types of questions that often appear on tests.
• What is your opinion?Those test questions ask children to supply
• What would you do in this situation?information that is in the book. For example, in
• How are you similar to or different fromHazel's Puppy, the story tells us that the puppy is
______ (a character in the book)?black. A test type of question would be "What
• What did you learn from this part of thecolor is the puppy?" We are not asking the
book?question because we want to know what color
• What else would you like to read on thisthe puppy is. We read it in the book. We are
same topic? (for non-fiction)asking the color of the dog to test if children
• Has anything like that ever happened tounderstand and remember what is in the book.
you?As children's reading ability improves, they may
• Have you ever seen something like that?want to read aloud with us, starting off with just
• What does this remind you of?saying a word or two that they recognize. Read
• How did you feel when we read aboutaloud time can be a special time in dad's
_________ (a particular event or piece ofrelationship with their kids.
information in the book)?Are these test-type questions the kind that
• What do you think about this character?people ask each other in normal conversation? Of
• Are you enjoying the book?course, they are NOT.
• Who else might like to read this book?