Quick Click: 10 Questions to Ask Your Child About His Day at School

Get a sense of your child's life at school by asking questions that elicit more than a one-word response.
The trick is to ask about things that are specific, but still open-ended. It is also great to start the conversation with something from your own day. Try one of these conversation starters.
1. Tell me about the best part of your day.
2. What was the hardest thing you had to do today?
3. Did any of your classmates do anything funny?
4. Tell me about what you read in class.
5. Who did you play with today? What did you play?
6. Do you think math (or any other subject) is too easy or too hard?
7. What is the biggest difference between this year and last year?
8. What rules are different at school than our rules at home? Do you think they are fair?
9. Who did you sit beside at lunch?
10. Can you show me something you learned (or did) today?

Teach Your Child to Think

Between school, errands, and activities, most families today spend lots of time on the go. Use some of that time for "thinking games". Some suggestions are:

• "Would You Rather?" - offer two options and ask which they prefer and why. For example, "Would you rather live near the beach or the mountains?"
• "Three Favorites" - Someone picks a category (outfits, movies, food) and everyone tells their top three choices.
• "What Doesn't Belong?" - Take turns naming items and asking the others to explain whcih is the odd one out and why. This game is great because there can be more than one "right"answer. For example, the items are "owl", "ostrich", and "eagle". The answer could be "ostrich, because it can't fly", or "owl, because it hunts at night".

This type of game will help children to improve their thinking through ideas.

Parent Power

There are many ways you can support your child's learning and school. Here are a few ideas:

• Spend a few minutes every evening looking over handouts your child bring home. Fill out forms to return the next day.
• Tell your child's teachers if you can help them out at school or home.
• Make sure teachers know you appreciate their efforts. From time to time, send a thank-you note or an email.
• Contact your child's teacher immediately if you see a problem. Working together will help your youngster succeed.
• Attend conferences, parent meetings, and school events regularly.