20 Questions to get Your Child Talking About School

How to get your child talking about school

Ever have a hard time finding out about your child’s day?  I’m sure you have.  Every parent struggles to have a meaningful conversation about school and what happened.  It’s pulling teeth to get more than a one-word answer from our kids.  All we get is “fine”, “ok”, or my favorite “nothing”.  We know that they did something in school, but what?  As parents, I’m sure you would love to learn more about your child’s day.  That’s why I created these 20 questions to get your child talking about school and their day.

Having a better conversation about your child’s school day.  This list will help you to get your child talking about school.  Read the list below and download  20 Questions about school to keep it on the fridge or in the car for easy access.

 

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When I taught in a school I always told the parents to ask a different kind of question.  Think about what you ask your child.  If you ask a general question such as  “How was school” or “What did you do in school today?”  You will most likely get the same answer “ nothing.”  Young children have a difficult time answering general questions.  They don’t really know what you are looking for.  When you ask something specific you are more likely to get a response.

 

 

 

The goal is to have a conversation. As the parent, it is your job to facilitate the conversation.  As your child answers some of these questions you then have a better sense of their day.  It also leads to the child thinking back.  Helps with retelling the events of the day.  These questions help to find out who your child plays with and who their friends are.  These questions are a sure fire way to have a conversation.

 

Read Books about School to help the conversation

 

One book series we love in this house is the Magic School Bus Series  The kids in the story have great adventures in school.  These books are great to read and laugh with.  Use these books to help your child think of their day at school.

Here you can find a whole book list about starting school. 

 

 

 

 

Here is a list of 20 Questions to get Your Child talking about School.

 

20 Questions to ask instead of “How was school Today”:

 

1. What was the best part of your day?

2. What was the worst part of your day?

3. Who did you sit next to today?

4. What made you feel bad today?

5. What made you feel happy today?

6. What book did your teacher read today?

7. Did you like or dislike the book read?

8. Who did you sit next to at lunch?

9. What did you play at recess?

10. Who did you play with at recess?

11. Did you help any friends today?

12. Did anything make you laugh today?

13. Which activity at school was your favorite, or least favorite, part of your day?

14. Did you get to be a helper today? How did you help?

15. Did you get called on today by your teacher? What was the question?

16. Did you go up to the board?

17. Ask about the specials they had that day: gym, library, music, computers.

18. Did you draw a picture today?  What was the picture?

19. Did someone else have a snack you may want to try?

20. How were you kind today?

 

These questions are geared toward preschool and elementary students, but you can change it based on your child’s age.  Whatever the age of your child, asking more specific questions will help get answers and start a conversation.

 

Let’s stop asking “How was school today?” Use these questions to facilitate a conversation and get more than a one-word answer. Learn more about your child’s day at school.  Watch as your child opens up and starts to share with you.  This gives you an opportunity to listen and let them share with you.  Once your child is talking you want to listen and not judge.  You can ask follow up questions to keep the conversation going.

 

Follow up Questions 

• Tell me more.
• Why do you think that happened?
• What else?
• Who was there with you when that happened?
• How did you feel after?

 

 

With all the new school supplies, new clothes, and backpacks you need a way to label them. These labels come in different sizes with different graphics.  They are perfect for everything.  I use them on my son’s backpack, lunchbox, pencil box, and jackets.  Then there is no confusion about what items belong to him.  Before I got these labels my son bought home the wrong lunchbox a few times.  When kids have the same characters it’s easy to pick up the wrong one.  These labels have fixed that problem.   Mabel’s Labels are perfect for all your school essentials.

 

 

Try these questions today.  Comment below and let me know how it went.

 

 

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You will also enjoy

 15 Terrific Ideas for Family Connect Nights

 ABC’s of Reading to and with your Child.

 

 

 

 

PS If you found this helpful be sure to look into 1st Grade Bundle and 2nd Grade Bundle.  These will solve your worries of not knowing how to help your child review.  These comprehensive packets are the solution to practicing the right materials.

 

 

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