The following are ways to help your child understand books that are being read to them. Remember, you do not have to use every question for every book.
Before Reading
Look at the cover with your child. Read the title with them. Ask, what do you notice about the cover? Talk about what you see in the picture and think together about what that may mean happens in the story.
For nonfiction books, talk about what you already know about the topic.
Go on a "picture walk." Together you look at the pictures and think about what might happen in the story. Do read the words just yet, this is a time to "Get your brain ready" to read.
During Reading
Encourage your child to "make a movie in his/her read" while reading the story. Stop and describe how your picturing the story in your head.
Periodically stop and have your child retell what is happening in the story, or what has happened so far.
Have your child make predictions about what will happen next in the story. Ask them, "how do you know?" Encourage them to use the pictures to support their thinking (ex. I think he is going to a party because he is holding a present and a balloon).
Ask question about how the characters might be feeling. Have your child tell you why they think the character feels that way. This is a great way to get them to relate to the story. Ask, "How would you feel if that happened to you?"
After Reading
Ask your child questions that require more than one word answers.
What was your favorite part? Why?
What was the problem in the story? How did they solve the problem?
How would you describe the main character?
What parts confused you? Why?
What would you change in the story?
What would you add to the story?
Get your child to think about the book in the context of their own life. Does the book remind you anything that you've ever done? Was the character like you or different from you? How?
Once your child is comfortable comparing the book to his/her own life, ask them if the book reminds them of other books they have read.