10 After School Questions

 

“How was your day?”  is a bland common after school question but it’s easy to turn this routine question into interaction.  Let’s think about the last time someone asked how your day is and what did you reply? Children want to tell you about their day and it’s up to you to nurture that line of communication.  Imagine if someone never taught you that it’s okay to share things about your daily experiences?  What might that have done to your development?  Just as you go about living your adult life, your child is leading their own lifestyle which largely revolves around their time at school. One complaint that parents sometimes have is that their child doesn’t seem interested in talking to them.  It is up to you to show interest and asking is a simple way to let them know that what goes on in their day interests you.

The Benefits Of Asking Questions

Engages communication between parent and child.
Builds confidence and exercises speech and self-expression.
Creates mindfulness about what is going on in your child’s world.
Serves as a recollective memory exercise.
Builds a bond between you and your child.

10 Encouraging After School Questions To Ask Today

  1. What did you eat for lunch?
  2. Did you play any games at recess?
  3. What was the funniest thing that happened today?
  4. Did anyone do anything super nice for you?
  5. What was the nicest thing you did for someone else?
  6. What challenged you today?
  7. If you had the chance to be the teacher tomorrow, what would you teach the class?
  8. What does being a good friend mean to you? Do you know anyone who is a good friend to you?
  9. What game does everyone like to play at recess?  What’s your favorite game to play at recess?
  10. What rule was the hardest to follow today?

An Activity

Pick up a deck of index cards from your local office supply outlet or Dollar Tree.  Write out a daily general question on each card and decorate the card with your child.  It’s fun adding stickers, doodles, glitter, and colors and they’ll love knowing this project is all about them. They may even have some questions they want you to ask! You may be surprised at how much of the work they’ll do for you on this project if you listen.

Every day of the school week pick out a card from the deck yourself, or alternatively, spread the cards out and ask your child to pick.  After the daily question has been answered you can write a short note on the back of the card and the date.  At some point you two can read over the old answers to some great questions and see how things have grown or may be different.

Bonus:  Have your child pick out a general card to ask you and find a way to apply the question to your day or feelings.  Example:  “Mom, what was the funniest thing that happened today?”  “Dad, what does being a good friend mean to you?”  “Grandma/pa, when you were my age what was your favorite game to play at recess?”


What active role do you take in asking your child about events at school?  Do you talk to them over dinner, on a walk, over a board game, or after homework?  How has this helped you build a relationship with your child? What do you wish you knew more about them?

Share your answers in the comments and let’s continue this list!