EYFS Questioning Tips - Blank's Levels Explained!

Questioning is key to learning and language development not just in Literacy but across the curriculum. However, Many parents and educators are unsure how to stimulate children’s oral language development in play and reading. One good method, often used in Speech development, is “levels of questioning”. These “levels of questioning” were developed by Blank, Rose and Berlin (1978). The questions move from concrete to abstract.

Understanding the complexity of questions can help in simplifying language or in appropriately challenging language skills. Children need to understand and respond to all these levels of questions to function easily within a nursery or Foundation Stage classroom. Ages given in brackets are averages. Some 2-year olds may cope with level 2-3 questions, while some four year olds may need questions simplified to level 1-2. 

Level One - Matching Perception
​(2-3 year olds)

Apply language to what is seen. Includes matching, identifying, and naming objects

1. Matching objects “Find one like this”
2. Naming objects “What is this?”
3. Imitating a simple sentence “Say this”
4. Recalling objects or information “What did you see? (frog)”

Level Two - Selective Analysis
(3-4 year olds)

Focussing on specific aspects of the question. Includes identifying objects by function, describing and making basic classifications

1. Identifying an object by function “Find something that cuts (scissors)”
2. Describing a scene “What is happening?”
3. Recalling information from a statement “What things……….?”
4. Completing a sentence “Finish this: I like…”
5. Attending to 2 characteristics “Find something that is sweet and red (apple)”
6. Identifying differences “How are these different?”
7. Giving an example within a category “Find a fruit (orange)”

​Level Three - Reordering Perception
​(4-5 year olds)

Restructuring and reordering ideas. Includes assuming the role of another, formulating generalisations and making basic predictions

1. Predicting “What will happen next?”
2. Taking on the role of another “How would he fix it?”
3. Following a set of directions “Get the cup and bring it to mummy”
4. Retell a routine sequence “Tell me how to make a sandwich”
5. Identifying similarities “How are these the same? (both hot)”
6. Understanding negatives “Find one that is not red”
7. Defining words “What is a….”

Level Four - Reasoning
(5 years +)

Problem solving at a higher level. Includes predictions, explanations and logical solutions.

1. Predicting changes “What will happen if…”
2. Justifying “Why can’t you use a spoon to row a boat?”
3. Identifying causes “What made it happen”
4. Formulating a solution “What could you do?”
5. Problem solving “How could we fix it?”
6. Explanations “How can you tell he is sad? (because he is crying)