💬 Conversation Starters
What Happens Next?
Pause a story or show and predict what happens next out loud.
5 min🟣 Story Builder
Goal
Practice prediction and reasoning with evidence.
💬 Theo is here today
Theo is in on this one, every way of answering counts: words, signs, pointing, or a talker.
💡 Why this matters
Back-and-forth talk is how children learn to listen, wait, answer and ask. Every exchange stretches how much language they can hold onto.
How to play
- 1Pause partway through a book or show.
- 2Each of you predicts what happens next.
- 3Keep going and see who was close.
Example conversation
You: I think she'll tell the truth.
Child: No, she'll hide it under the bed!
Extra questions
- Why do you think that?
- What clue helped you?
- What would you do?
Skills practiced
- ✔ Conversation
- ✔ Turn-taking
- ✔ Listening
Materials needed
A book or show you're already enjoying.
❤️ Parent tip
Leave a long pause after you ask. Silence is thinking time, not a wrong answer.
Try it during
- 🚗 Car ride
- 🍽 Dinner table
- 🚶 On a walk
- ⏳ Waiting in line
- 📱 Video call with family
- 🌙 Bedtime
Same activity, many moments — pick whichever fits your day.