Does this sound familiar?
Parent, “What did you do in school today?”
Child, “I don’t remember.” or, “Nothing.”
If you are like most parents, you have had this same conversation with your child day after day. Try using one of these “lead-ins” instead and see if you receive a more informative response.
- What was the best/worst thing that happened at school today?
- Tell me something that made you laugh today.
- How did you help someone today?
- How did somebody help you today?
- When were you the happiest/saddest today?
- Tell me one thing that you learned today.
- Who would you like to play with at recess that you’ve never played with before?
- Tell me something good that happened today.
- What word did your teacher say the most today?
- What do you think you should get to do more of at school?
- What do you think you should do less of at school?
- Who in your class do you think you could be nicer to?
- Where (what) do you play the most at recess?
- Who is the funniest person in your class? Why is he/she so funny?
- What was your favorite part of lunch (or snack)?
- If you got to be the teacher tomorrow, what would you do?
- Tell me about 2 different times that you used a pencil (paint brush, crayon, etc.) today?
If you ask questions like these, you may hear about great work like this!