Using “What If” Questions To Increase literacy
In every classroom I’ve stepped into, one tiny shift in the way questions are asked has sparked more wide eyed curiosity than almost anything else: using “what if” questions.
These imaginative prompts aren’t just whimsical “fun” (though they are fun!) — they’re doorways that invite students to explore, wonder, and play with ideas. As a storyteller, I’ve seen how a simple “What if…?” turns even a quiet room into a buzzing hive of possibility.
One of the biggest ways “what if” questions boost student engagement is by helping kids feel like their ideas genuinely matter. Because there’s no single right answer, students get to take ownership of their thinking and explore paths they choose. Research consistently shows this matters — when learners construct their own questions and ideas, their motivation and participation shoot up. The Right Question Institute notes that student-driven inquiry increases “behavioral, cognitive, and emotional engagement” in the classroom.
Suddenly, a question like “What if animals could talk for one hour each day?” becomes an irresistible invitation to jump in.
“What if” questions also naturally nurture literacy and critical-thinking skills. When students imagine possibilities, they practice narrative structure, descriptive language, and logical reasoning without even realizing it. Open-ended prompts such as “how,” “why,” and “what if” encourage students to elaborate and think more deeply — key ingredients for strong reading and writing development. A prompt like “What if the character made the opposite choice?” nudges students to analyze, justify, and create — all essential literacy skills.
If you want to spark joy, curiosity, and confident communication in your classroom, invite more “what if” moments into your day. Use them as
writing warm-ups
discussion starters,
playful brain breaks
What if questions are simple to use and can be woven into all asepcts of your day!
And if your school is looking for high-energy storytelling programs that model these imaginative practices, I’d love to bring that magic to your students with interactive folktale assemblies and classroom visits. Let’s help kids think bigger, dream wider, and delight in the power of their own ideas!