It’s the ‘cliché’ question parents always ask their children who run home excitedly after school. Their reply also became a cliched one like ” it was okay”. Children should also get bored hearing this all the time. Try to avoid asking children closed-ended questions from the parents. You should ask open-ended questions that help you get closer to the child and allow the conversation to continue. This will help parents to read their children’s minds without them knowing and understanding the learning environment of the school. Also, be careful not to start the conversation by asking about learning while seeing the child.
A few things to keep in mind while asking questions – Children’s minds are like a blank sheet of paper. Knowingly or unknowingly, what is being said to them will create the conditions for instilling many illusions and fears in their minds. These can significantly affect their behaviour during growth and post-adulthood. It should also be checked whether the stories told as a joke have adverse effects on the children. For example, avoid teasing questions about gender, color, and body type.
What if you ask like this?
∙ Can you tell me what made you happy today?
∙ What was the most interesting thing you learned today?
∙ Did something happen at school today that made you angry/sad?
∙ Did the teacher teach you anything that you did not understand?
∙ Helped someone today?
∙ Who do you prefer to be with in class? / Why?
∙ If you get a chance to become a teacher tomorrow, what will you teach the children?
∙ Did you go to the bathroom today? / Aren’t you afraid to go to the bathroom?
Don’t ask like this
∙ Did you fight with someone today?
∙ The teacher didn’t eat any dumplings today, right?
∙ Is it true that the teacher said that there is always fighting in the class?
∙ Give me the bag, let me check it
(Doing such things will only help the child lose confidence )
∙ Doubtful questions about friends can also be avoided. The child will lose faith in the parents.
QUESTIONS NOT TO ASK AS SOON AS YOU GET HOME
∙ What is today’s homework?
∙ When are you going to do homework?
∙ Did the exam result come? What does/mean?