5 ways to get your kids to talk about school
I don’t know whether it is because I have boys, but it is almost impossible to squeeze a word out of my children about school. I have tried asking open-ended questions such as “How was your day at school?” only to be answered “Fine.” If I perservere, my sons just tell me to stop asking questions!
However, Be A Good Dad has some great tips so I want to share them with you:
*Yes or No questions. Stuff like, was your best friend there today? Did you go outside today? A lot of times they will just answer with a simple yes or no but if it was entertaining or horrible they will start talking.
*Ask about things that you know happen every day. For Geetle and Pookie this includes, what did you have for snack and what was your job today?
*Ask if their friend/enemy was at school. If their best friend or enemy was at school, then there is probably a story about them waiting to be told.
*Look in their book bag. You will find letters from the teacher, class projects, homework, and stuff your kid found on the playground. Grab any of it and start asking questions about what it is?
*Be shocked/amazed/horrified with them. Don’t just sit there and say “Mmm hmm” every once in a while. Get involved with the conversation. Act like you care about what happened while your kid was in school.
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May 31st, 2007 at 6:03 pm
I go through this excercise EVERY day and I get a very bored and irritated…”I don’t know” response. Thanks for the advice, I shall try it tomorrow.
June 6th, 2007 at 8:40 am
I’ve found out a lot more about what my son did at school now that my daughter goes.
She tells me all about her day, and he says,
“Yeah, we did that too when I was in Reception/year 1″
It may be two years in arrears, but at least I know now.