When children read or listen to stories, they’re not just learning new words—they’re learning about people, relationships, and emotions. Tip #3: Characteristics and Feelings is all about helping your child connect with the characters in a story, reflect on how they think and feel, and recognize how those feelings might relate to their own lives.

Why This Tip Matters

Talking about character traits and emotions during reading does more than build vocabulary—it helps children:

• Develop empathy by understanding how others feel
• Improve comprehension by following character actions and motivations
• Make personal connections to the story
• Learn to express their own feelings and describe others’

Easy Ways to Talk About Characters

Here are some simple ways to use this tip at home:

🔹 While Reading:

• “How do you think this character is feeling right now?”
• “What made them feel that way?”
• “What kind of person do you think they are—kind, brave, silly?”

🔹 After Reading:

• “Did the character change from the beginning to the end? How?”
• “Do they remind you of anyone you know?”
• “What would you have done in their place?”

🔹 Get Personal:

• “Have you ever felt the same way this character does?”
• “What would you say to this character if you met them?”

These kinds of questions help children think deeply about what they read and connect it to their own world—a key skill for both reading and social development.

Book Suggestions to Practice This Tip

Books with strong, relatable characters are great choices for discussing traits and feelings. Here are a few recommendations to get started:

• Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
• Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
• Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival
• Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
• The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
• Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes
• The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
• Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson
• Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts
• I Am Human: A Book of Empathy by Susan Verde
• Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell

Final Thought

The next time you read with your child, take a moment to pause and ask about the people in the story. Who are they? What are they feeling? Why did they act that way?

These small conversations build big skills—and help your child grow into a thoughtful, compassionate, and confident reader.