As children return to school, parents often want to know how his/her child’s day was in the classroom. While your child may tell you everything one day, the next day may be full of silence and struggle. Common responses are “fine,” “good,” and/or “okay.” In order to enhance the likelihood that your child will respond with more than one word answers, consider asking these questions when you pick your child up from school or see them for the first time at home:

 

• What was the funniest thing that happened today?
• Who made you smile today?
• What challenged you today?
• If you could sit beside one person, who would it be?
• Who would you not want to sit beside?
• What is the most important lesson/rule used by your teacher?
• What do you wish could have been different today?
• Who in the classroom has difficulty following rules?
• What is your favorite time of day at school?
• How do you feel about your grades? Is it what you were expecting?

 

For older children, consider:

• When I was your age, there were several mean kids who picked on others. Is there anyone like that in your class?
• In the news, I often hear bullying stories. Who is a bully at your school? Have you seen bullying happening?
• What qualities do you admire most when making friends?
• I’m sure I do things that are embarrassing—what do I do that embarrasses you the most?
• What was the best and worst thing that happened at school today?
• What would your teacher tell me about you?
• Who is the nicest person in your classroom?
• What periods of the day are most boring?
• What do you think you should learn more of at school/learn less?