You might be able to get away with asking, "how was your day at school" right at the beginning of the school year, but no long after. After all, there are new teachers and friends to talk about, new projects, new classrooms, and new backpacks to talk about. But in a month? Your question about their day is going to result in a one-word answer: "good." That doesn't give you much information.
Mix it up a little with 23 questions that should get more than a single syllable response.
- What's the funniest thing that happened today?
- Can you tell me 3 different people you talked to today?
- If I was your teacher tomorrow, what would you want me to teach?
- What's the biggest difference between this year and last year?
- What's something special that happened today that you wish happened every day?
- Who would you like to play with at recess tomorrow?
- What will you do tomorrow that's different from today?
- Who would you like to switch seats with tomorrow?
- Did you use your markers at school today? When?
- What's something from home you wish your classroom had?
- If I called your teacher, what would they say about you?
- What are you excited to do tomorrow?
- Which school rules are the same as the ones we have at home?
- What was the hardest thing about today?
- If you were the teacher, what would you teach?
- What did you eat first at lunch?
- Who was your favorite person to talk to today?
- What didn't you have today that you want to have for tomorrow?
- Did you notice what your teacher was wearing today?
- Who do you want to be better friends with?
- If a spaceship came to class and beamed up someone, who would you want it to be?
- When were you bored today?
- Could you tell me your favorite part about today in just 2 different words?
Asking questions about specific moments, or questions that include a number are going to get your kid to open up about their day. There's nothing wrong with the old standby, "how was your day at school?" but come January, you are going to want something new to ask.
