Get more out of conversations with your child
Are you tired of asking your child questions about school and getting little response? Then try this strategy:
Instead of asking lots of questions when your child gets home from school, share a few things about your day first. For example: “I’ve had such a busy day. I had a meeting with my boss in the morning. I took Grandma to her doctor’s appointment this afternoon. Then we stopped by the store to pick up groceries. It was good to get home.”
After you’ve finished, ask your child to tell you a little bit about the school day. Prompt with open-ended questions if necessary: “What was the best part of your day?” “Tell me about what you learned today.”
You can also use this strategy to start discussions about schoolwork. If your child brings home artwork from school, look at it and make some observations about what you see. Comment on the colors. Say what you like about it. Tell what it reminds you of, etc. Then ask your child, “What does it mean to you?”
Reprinted with permission from the January 2023 issue of Parents make the difference!® (Elementary School Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2023 The Parent Institute®, a division of PaperClip Media, Inc.