This Is How We Do It: questions to ask and activities to try
Seven real children, seven countries, one day. This Is How We Do It shows how children around the world live, and how much they have in common.
What age is This Is How We Do It for?
This Is How We Do It is best for ages 4–8.
This Is How We Do It (Matt Lamothe)
- Age
- 4-8
- Best for
- One day in the life of seven children around the world
Only £1.00This Is How We Do It activity sheet3 printable pages: questions to talk about, a drawing and writing page, and notes for the grown-up. Instant PDF.
Just want the questions? Get the free question card ↓
Compare each page with your child's own day: breakfast, school, games. Find each country on a map.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 4–8 (Reception to Year 3)
- What they'll enjoy
- Seven real children, seven countries, one day. This Is How We Do It shows how children around the world live, and how much they have in common.
- Helps with
- One day in the life of seven children around the world
- Buy or borrow?
- Borrow it from the library first if you can. If your child asks for it again and again, it’s one worth owning, and the questions and activities on this page work best with the book open next to you.
What it helps with
- How children live around the world
- Same and different
- Daily routines
- Geography
Comprehension and discussion questions for This Is How We Do It
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “Which countries are in the book?”
- “What did they eat for breakfast?”
- “How did they get to school?”
- “What games did they play?”
- “What’s the same as your day?”
- “What’s different?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for This Is How We Do It
All 6 questions for This Is How We Do It on one printable page, each marked with the reading skill it practises. Enter your email and download it straight away.
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5-minute activities to try together
My day page
Make a page about your child's own day in the same style.
Map pins
Find all seven countries on a map.
This Is How We Do It activity sheet: printable worksheet and questions
All the questions and activities above on a ready-to-print activity sheet: questions tagged by reading skill with space to answer, a drawing and writing page with a self-check, and notes for the adult with curriculum links and a 20-minute session plan. Pay by card, PayPal or Payhip and download straight away.
- Page 1, talk about it: questions about the story, each tagged with the reading skill it practises, with space to answer or tick
- Page 2, my favourite part: a drawing box, a sentence starter and a “how did I do?” self-check
- Page 3, notes for the adult: curriculum links, a 20-minute session plan, extension activities, and support and challenge ideas
- Read it togetherEnjoy the story first.
- Ask 2 or 3 questionsFrom the list above, while everyone is calm.
- Print the activity sheetAn activity sheet with questions, a drawing page and notes for you.
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Use it as a lesson plan
Children can listen to This Is How We Do It, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about how children live around the world.
A 20-minute session for ages 4–8 (Reception to Year 3), for a class, a small group or one child at home.
- Warm up (2 minutes). Show the cover and read the title. Ask: “What do you think this story will be about?”
- Read aloud (6 minutes). Read it all the way through. Tip: Compare each page with your child's own day: breakfast, school, games. Find each country on a map.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “Which countries are in the book?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do My day page. Make a page about your child's own day in the same style. Children who finish early can try Map pins.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The This Is How We Do It activity sheet has these questions with space to answer, a drawing and writing page, and notes for the adult.
If your child liked this, try
Welcome to Our World (Moira Butterfield and Harriet Lynas)
- Best for
- How children live all around the world
- Age
- 3-6
If You Come to Earth (Sophie Blackall)
- Best for
- A guide to Earth, and caring for it and each other
- Age
- 4-8
Big Brilliant World (Matt Ralphs and Aysha Tengiz)
- Best for
- Exploring the world's cities, and first words in other languages
- Age
- 2-6
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 10 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.