Have you ever told a child you were “all ears” and watched them immediately inspect the sides of your head?

I have, and that is exactly why I love idioms.

Idioms are expressions that mean something different from the actual words being used. Adults understand that “butterflies in your stomach” means feeling nervous or excited. A 4-year-old may picture tiny butterflies fluttering around near their belly button.

Honestly, that sounds much more interesting.

Between the ages of 4 and 5, children are entering an exciting stage of language development.

Reading with a grandchild can be one of the sweetest parts of the day. You snuggle in, open the book, turn the first page, and prepare for a magical literacy moment.

Then you ask, “Do you like this book?”

Your grandson says, “Yes.”

And there it is. The conversation is over before it even put on its shoes.

Now, there is nothing wrong with a yes-or-no question. We all use them. They are simple, quick, and sometimes exactly what we need. “Are you ready?” “Do you want to read one more page?” “Is that puppy silly?” Those questions have their place.

Wait! Don’t answer yet.

That is what I wish someone had whispered to me the first time I sat with my grandson, opened a book, asked a very good question, and then immediately answered it myself.

Yep, I used to think I was being helpful.

I would sit with my grandson, open a book, point to a picture, and ask what I thought was a very good question. “What color is the dinosaur?” Then, before he had a chance to answer, I would jump right in.

Longer days. Popsicles dripping down little fingers. Fireflies at dusk. Road trips. Pool towels drying in the sun. And somewhere between all the summer fun, there’s an incredible opportunity for grandparents to help children fall even more in love with reading.