Communicating with kids is not easy. Getting kids to listen or to talk to you about their lives when you’re not around is difficult. Still, we have to find a way. The point of asking kids questions about school or their day is to gather information, to help your child express and process his emotions, and to build your relationship with your child. The last thing you want to do is shut your child down by asking a yes/no question. The questions for your kids should be open-ended. So, how do you get your kids to talk about school?
The idea is not to have a hundred questions to ask your kids at dinner time but find a few to add into your daily routine. Make asking questions about one another’s days intentional and soon it will be organic.
Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. ~ Plato
I came up with questions below but not all of these questions will work for your family. Pick and choose from the ideas or simply use these questions as inspiration to come up with your own.
Questions to Ask Kids about School
- When was someone kind to you today?
- When were you kind to someone?
- What was the hardest part of your day?
- What was easy?
- What type of games did you play on the playground today?
- Which special class did you enjoy the most?
- Which character did you enjoy most in your read aloud today?
- Tell me about a time someone made you laugh today
- Tell me about a time when you felt uncomfortable today
Questions to Ask Kids about Mom
Another fun twist on asking kids questions is to ask questions about yourself.
- What is Mom’s favorite food?
- What does mom like to do when you’re in school?
- What does mom do after you’re in bed?
- Who is mom’s favorite person in the whole world?
- If mom was going on a trip and could invite one friend, who would it be?
- What makes mom laugh?
Silly Questions to Ask Kids at the End of the Day
There is no sound more enjoyable than the sound of my child’s laughter. So, make your questions for kids fun and silly.
Humor and laughter are good things. It is vital to be serious at times but also important not to take life so seriously.
We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do. ~ Mother Teresa
- If you could be any animal in the world, which animal would you be?
- One morning you wake up to discover your brother has a tail. Do you tell him?
- One morning you wake up to discover you have wings, what is your first move?
- If you had one superpower, which superpower would that be?
- Would you rather be able to see in the dark or the ability to be invisible?
- Who is your favorite mythical creature?
- If you were a dog, which kind would you be?
- Which superhero would you be and why?
- Would you rather be a lion or a shark?
- Would you rather be an elephant or a monkey?
- If you could choose any special talent, what would you choose?
Sometimes the best way to connect with your kids is to not say anything at all. Instead, you can listen to them and use your eyes to connect. There is a lot of pressure to be on top of our kids. I love talking with my kids but more than anything I love simply being with my kids. These questions to ask kids will undoubtedly help you connect with your child and learn more about your child but don’t ever feel bad about simply leaving your child alone. That helps him, too. I promise.