Making predictions while reading is not just a fun engagement strategy — it is one of the most powerful reading comprehension techniques available, and it works even before children can read a single word. When a child predicts what will happen next and then discovers whether they were right, they are actively constructing meaning from a story rather than passively receiving it. This active construction is the foundation of deep reading comprehension that serves children throughout their academic lives.

How to Play the Prediction Game

• Stop at natural pause points in the story (end of a page, before a big event).
• Ask: "What do you think will happen next? Why?"
• Accept all predictions without evaluating: "That's interesting! Let's find out."
• Continue reading and compare: "You predicted ___. What actually happened? Were you surprised?"

Types of Predictions to Ask For

• Narrative prediction: "What will the character do next?"
• Character motivation: "Why do you think she did that? What do you think she's feeling?"
• Picture clues: "Look at the picture — what do you notice that might tell us something?"
• Text clues: "The book says it was getting dark and the character was far from home — what do you think that means?"

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I correct incorrect predictions?

Never "correct" a prediction before the story reveals what happens — predicting incorrectly is not wrong, it is thoughtful engagement with available information. After the story reveals the outcome, celebrate both accurate and inaccurate predictions: "You predicted X, and the story chose Y — which surprise do you think was better?" Framing incorrect predictions as interesting surprises (rather than errors to be corrected) builds the habit of risk-taking in comprehension that reluctant readers especially need.

Related education: Story Basket Retelling | Puppet Interview | Book Scavenger Hunt