Everyone with children in Montessori or school have at some point inevitably asked the question: "How was your day?" at pick-up time. And chances are you were met with the non-explanatory and terribly frustrating: "Fine."
Ah, kids! How about offering up some more information, no?!
The trick, I have come to know, is to ask questions that can not be answered with just "yes", "no" or indeed "fine". For kids to be interested, I figured, questions need to be engaging and, well, kid-friendly.
So here goes:
1. What was the coolest thing that happened today?
Or yuckiest, or grossest or funnest, this question can be asked in many ways, and will (hopefully) lead to a longer conversation about what they did, in fact, get up to today.
2. Who did you like the most today?
Followed up by a "why" this could also be a good one.
3. If you could choose, who would you like to sit by in class?
Or, who would you NOT want to sit by in class? Why?
4. What kind of games did you play today?
Also good with crafts/art/sports being used instead of "games".
5. Tell me a weird word that you heard today.
Or something weird that someone said.
6. Who was the nicest person today?
Teacher, friend, sports teacher, followed up by "why"?
7. Tell me about the coolest thing you learned today?
Follow up with questions about subject, what is cool, what do they not like, and why.
8. What was boring about today?
Could be a good one for picking up subject they don't really understand or feel they can follow.
9. Is there anyone in your class that has no one to play with at break time?
Good one for finding out how the class is getting on, if anyone are left out. Follow up by why, does this happen often and so on.
10. Is there anything you wish you could change about today?
Subjects, friends, lunch box, this one could also apply to a lot, and will hopefully start a conversation.
What are YOUR best tips for getting your kids to tell you about the parts of their day when you are not with them? Please send me an e-mail at Trine.Jensen@HerFamily.ie
