Are you tired of getting monosyllabic responses from your kids when asking how their day went? It’s time to shake things up! Asking the same old question every day can lead to a lack of meaningful conversations. To foster open communication and get more out of your kids, try these 10 creative questions that encourage sharing about their daily experiences.
1. “What was the best part of your day?” This shifts focus from the usual routine and encourages kids to share their favorite highlight.
2. “Did anything surprise you today?” Surprises can range from unexpected science experiments to getting picked second for the kickball team.
3. “Who were you proud of today?” This question fosters social skills by asking kids to think of someone they were proud of.
4. “When did you feel proud of yourself today?” Celebrating accomplishments, no matter how minor, can boost confidence and reinforce good behavior.
5. “What’s one thing that would have made today even better?” This invites kids to express frustrations or challenges faced during the day.
6. “What was the most interesting thing you learned?” Encourage academic curiosity with open-ended questions that give kids freedom to share their passions.
7. “What did you play during recess?” Reveal information about social skills, friendship, teamwork, and play.
8. “Who were you kind to today?” This encourages empathy and altruism by asking kids to consider the impact of their acts of kindness on others.
9. “What’s something new you’d like to try at school?” Lead kids to share things they’re curious about trying, whether it’s a new club or musical instrument.
10. “What’s a mistake you learned from today?” Normalize mistakes and failures, and help kids recognize how to take responsibility and learn from missteps.
To create an environment for open communication:
* Listen actively and respond positively to their stories
* Choose your timing wisely – kids may not be eager to talk right when they get home
* Ask limited questions and don’t give advice immediately
* Model how to share by sharing your own day, showing it’s okay to talk about both highs and lows
* Talk during activities or when engaging in a shared hobby
By asking these creative questions and fostering an environment for open communication, you can turn those vague answers into meaningful conversations that bring you closer to your kids.
Source: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-mentally-strong-people-dont-do/202408/10-questions-to-ask-kids-beyond-how-was-school