Get Your Child to Share Their School Day
We are 3 days in to the first week of school! If you’re feeling like we are, you are anxious to hear about your child’s day at school. However, when you ask them about their day, how often are you met with “I don’t know” or “I don’t remember” responses? They shrug and the conversation is over before it has even begun.
As parents, we want to be supportive and engage our children in being able to talk to us and share their feelings and experiences, however, asking specific questions may result in more opportunities for conversation and less frustration for both parents and children.
Below are a few questions adapted from a post on Her View From Home.
1. What made you smile today?
2. What was the best thing that happened today?
3. Did you learn something you didn’t understand?
4. What is the most popular game at recess?
5. What made you laugh?
6. Did you help anyone today?
7. Who did you sit with at lunch?
8. Did you tell anyone, “thank you”?
9. Who did you play with today?
10. What was your least favorite part of the day?
11. Can you tell me an example of kindness you saw/showed?
12. What is something you learned today that may not have already known?
13. What was your favorite food in your lunch?
14. Did anyone get in trouble today?
15. What made your teacher smile?
Our children often want to talk to us, but we may be too quick to respond, offering suggestions and solutions when our children just want to be heard. Silence can be uncomfortable, but when you lean in to that silence after asking your child a question, you give them time to process your question and respond. It is also helpful to acknowledge their feelings. They may initially respond with frustration or fear. You can repeat that emotion back to them. “That must have been scary” or “That must have made you angry” will hopefully continue the conversation as they feel validated for the emotions they’re experiencing.
Every child is different and converse with us in a variety of ways. By changing the wording of our questions, pausing to allow them time to respond, offering support instead of solutions, and affirming their emotions, we begin opening up lines of communication to establish trust and a safe space within our families.
Collaborative Corner Panelists
Collaborative Corner for Exceptional Children
blaire@collaborativecorner.org