Teaching Kids to Predict What Happens Next in Stories
Teaching Kids to Predict What Happens Next in Stories
Why Story Prediction Is a Powerful Early Learning Skill
When your child gasps, “I think the puppy’s going to find his ball!” — that moment is magic. They’re not just reacting to a story — they’re thinking ahead, connecting details, and using logic and imagination all at once.
This skill, called story prediction, is a cornerstone of early literacy. It teaches children to follow a sequence, use clues, and think critically — the same abilities they’ll later use to comprehend what they read in school.
The Brain Science Behind Prediction
When children predict, their brains engage in a process called anticipatory thinking — combining memory, language, and emotion. They recall past experiences, notice patterns, and imagine possible outcomes.
Every time they make a guess, they strengthen neural pathways for:
Comprehension: understanding what’s happening in sequence.
Inference: reading between the lines.
Memory: storing and recalling key story details.
Focus: paying closer attention to cause and effect.
Predictive thinking even boosts empathy — it helps children imagine how others might feel or react.
(Also see: The Science of Early Learning: How the Brain Builds Connections)
Why Prediction Strengthens Comprehension
Predicting what happens next teaches children that stories follow patterns. Characters make choices. Actions cause reactions.
That logical flow becomes the foundation for reading comprehension later on.
Children begin to ask questions like:
“Why did that happen?”
“What will the character do now?”
“What happens if she doesn’t find her toy?”
This habit of thinking while listening or reading turns them into active learners instead of passive observers.
(Also see: Teaching Cause and Effect Through Simple Experiments)
How to Teach Story Prediction Naturally
You don’t need worksheets or flashcards — you just need a good story and a little pause.
Step 1: Choose Interactive Stories
Pick picture books with:
Clear storylines
Strong emotional moments
Visual clues about what might come next
Books with repetitive patterns (like If You Give a Mouse a Cookie) or small mysteries (Where’s Spot?) are perfect for beginners.
Step 2: Pause and Wonder Out Loud
While reading, pause briefly at key moments:
“Hmm, I wonder what might happen next?”
“Do you think she’ll share her snack or keep it?”
Model curiosity, not quizzes. The goal is to spark thinking, not to test it.
(Also see: Encouraging Questioning and Exploration in Preschoolers)
Step 3: Encourage Clues and Connections
Guide your child to notice hints in the story.
“Look, he’s hiding the present behind his back — why do you think he’s doing that?”
They’ll learn to read illustrations and context, just like grown-up readers infer meaning from tone and setting.
(Also see: Hands-On Learning Ideas for Visual Learners)
Step 4: Celebrate All Answers
Children don’t need to be right — they just need to try.
When they make a prediction, respond with encouragement:
“That’s an interesting idea!”
“I like how you used the picture to guess!”
This builds confidence and keeps reading joyful.
(Also see: How to Build Confidence in Early Learners)
Step 5: Confirm and Reflect
After reading, revisit their predictions:
“You thought the puppy would find his ball — what really happened?”
“Was your idea close?”
Comparing predictions with outcomes helps build reasoning and memory.
Story Activities That Strengthen Prediction Skills
Here are some fun Fuzzigram-style ways to practice predicting without making it feel like a lesson.
1. Picture-Only Storytime
Flip through a wordless picture book (like Goodnight Gorilla) and ask your child to narrate what’s happening.
“What do you think happens on the next page?”
They’ll learn to use visual evidence to make predictions — a key reading comprehension skill.
(Also see: DIY Letter Tracing and Sensory Writing Activities)
2. Puppet Storytelling
Use puppets or stuffed animals to act out stories together. Pause mid-scene:
“Oh no — the bear dropped his snack! What will he do next?”
Kids will naturally take over the storytelling, filling in possibilities using emotion, imagination, and logic.
(Also see: Using Puppets for Phonemic Awareness Practice)
3. “Finish the Story” Game
Start a story with a few lines and let your child complete it.
“A frog was hopping through the garden when suddenly…”
Encourages open-ended thinking, creative problem solving, and sentence sequencing.
4. Mystery Bag
Place small toys or props in a bag. Pull one out and invent a story.
“The airplane flew into a storm — what happens next?”
A tactile and imaginative way to connect storytelling and sensory play.
5. Story Sequencing Cards
Use three to five cards with pictures that show a short sequence (like baking cookies).
Ask:
“What happens first? What’s next? What’s last?”
Then flip one card over and ask:
“What do you think is hiding here?”
It’s prediction and memory training rolled into one.
(Also see: Why Repetition and Routine Boost Learning Retention)
Integrating Prediction Into Daily Life
Prediction isn’t just for books — it’s part of how children make sense of the world.
Encourage simple predictions throughout the day:
“What do you think will happen when we pour water on the sand?”
“Do you think the toast will pop up soon?”
“What will happen if we mix these colors?”
Each guess strengthens scientific reasoning, emotional control, and curiosity.
(Also see: How to Turn Everyday Tasks Into Learning Opportunities)
When Kids Struggle to Predict
Some children hesitate because they’re afraid of being wrong — or they just haven’t practiced this kind of thinking yet.
Here’s how to help:
Start with obvious clues and short stories.
Praise effort, not accuracy.
Model predictions aloud yourself.
Use visual aids like storyboards or puppets.
With time, prediction becomes a natural part of how they think, not something they have to try to remember.
How This Skill Grows With Age
The Emotional Side of Story Prediction
Prediction gives kids more than comprehension — it builds emotional intelligence.
When they imagine what might happen, they’re practicing:
Empathy: understanding characters’ feelings.
Patience: waiting to see what happens next.
Resilience: handling surprise or disappointment.
It’s a safe, playful way to explore emotions and outcomes — through stories that always end with comfort and connection.
(Also see: Encouraging Curiosity During Daily Routines)
Key Takeaways
Prediction makes stories interactive. It turns listening into thinking.
Every guess grows the brain. It builds logic, empathy, and comprehension.
Use visuals and questions. Pictures, pauses, and gentle prompts help.
Celebrate curiosity. It’s not about being right — it’s about wondering.
When you pause and ask, “What do you think happens next?”, you’re doing something extraordinary: you’re teaching your child to think like a storyteller — and a scientist.
Popular Parenting Articles
Recommended social-emotional learning tools & activities: