The first thing we ask when we meet someone new is, “How do you do?” or “What is your name?” These questions help us get to know and understand a new person. These are part of our basic social communication skills. We also resort to asking questions when we’re faced with an unfamiliar problem or situation. Asking and answering questions helps us gain more information, which is why it is a crucial part of learning.
Little children are very curious creatures and are brimming with questions. They always want to know what you’re doing, why you’re doing it, how something works, etc. The parents’ or teachers’ answers help them get information and learn more about things. But what about when you need to know something from your child? Can they answer a question? Of course, they can.
Asking questions to a child gets them talking, and helps you learn more about them. Kids can sometimes be very private or just be reluctant to talk about things. It could also be that they don’t know how to broach the subject with their parents or teacher. But it’s a parent’s or teacher’s responsibility to know more about the child. Asking open-ended questions for kids is an easy way to start a conversation with your child. When a child hears the question, they ponder over the question before answering it. This also improves their thinking skills.
Asking questions can help the parent or educator understand the child’s interests, needs, doubts and fears. It also helps start conversations, which can lead to rich discussions with the child. This is important for their language development, analysing skills and creativity. It also boosts their confidence while interacting with others and helps them build lasting relationships.
There are several other benefits of asking questions to kids. Here are some ways that asking questions can help kids:
- Questions encourage kids to think beyond the obvious, and consider their options before answering.
- It helps them express themselves. Sometimes kids don’t understand how to ask parents certain questions, or shy away from talking about certain things. When parents ask questions, the kids find it easier to talk about it.
- Answering questions and explaining recent or past events helps develop the child’s short-term and long-term memory.
- When parents listen attentively to the child’s answers, it fosters a sense of understanding and importance. It helps kids feel that their opinions matter.
- Questions are an easy icebreaker. It helps children open up and talk about their feelings, needs, wants, friends etc.
- Questions or quizzing is also a great way to help kids learn. Asking kids questions like true or false questions helps parents and teachers test a child’s knowledge. It gives an idea of whether the child has understood the lesson or not.
So, what kind of questions can you ask kids? Here are some examples of questions you can ask your little ones to start a conversation.
- How was your day?
- How do you feel?
- What is your favorite thing to do?
- What is your favorite thing to eat?
- Would you rather eat now or later?
- What is your favorite toy?
- Tell me about your day.
- Can you tell me what you learnt in school today?
- Why did you do that?
- Tell me about your friends.
So, start developing your child’s key communication skills with simple questions. Additionally, it’ll further their knowledge and understanding.