Infant Insights: Engaging in a conversation with your child

Evelyn Hurtado, Head of K2, UWCSEA Dover
12 April 2023

Oftentimes families ask their child "How was your day?" or "What did you do today?" excited to learn about what their little one was up to during their day at school. This question is often met with a simple one word response such as “fine” ,”nothing” or “play”.  We promise you there is a lot of information to share – you may just need to change up your questions… and your timing!

Our brains are very much still a work in progress, and for our littles it can be difficult to review their whole day and find the right words to share our day. What seems like a simple question to us, is pretty overwhelming to them. Specific questions that allow for them to recall specific details and that are open ended, might help.

Timing is everything…in different ways.

When we ask a question, we may have to sit in silence and allow some “think time”. Part of the key is asking, sitting and waiting and not jumping to the next question.  Another way that timing is important is when you ask a question. Many littles (and bigs!) need to decompress after a long day, before they can engage with someone else fully. Being on all day can be exhausting! Allowing for some down time before asking questions is always a good thing, and when you do ask questions make sure it’s a time that you have set aside, devices are away and where you all can pay full attention to each other.  This may even be later in the evening towards bedtime, so you may want to plan accordingly and carve out some time to share your stories also.

Once the time is right, here are some open-ended questions you can ask to get the conversation started! 

• What made you smile?
• How were you brave?
• Can you share an example of kindness you saw…you did?
• How were you creative today?
• What was the hardest agreement/rule to follow today?
• If you could change one thing about your day, what would it be?
• What games did people play at recess?
• What did someone do today that made you laugh?
• Who did you play with today?
• Who in K1/K2/G1 do you think you could be nicer to?
• How did you help someone today?
• What are you looking forward to tomorrow?
• What book did you read today?
• What made your teacher(s)  smile today?
• Did anything make your teacher(s) frown today?
• If you switched places with your teacher tomorrow, what would you teach in class?
• What was your least favourite part of the day?
• What superpower would have come in handy today?
• Did anything make you feel frustrated today?
• What was the best snack/lunch today?
• Can you tell me about a time you shared today?
• How was today different than yesterday?
• What did you do today that made your brain work really hard?
• Can you show me something you learned how to do today?
• Who in your class has a talent that you really wish you had?

Enjoy your time together!

Evelyn Hurtado is an early childhood educator and Head of Grade for K2. She has over 25 years of experience in the classroom and leadership. She has contributed to articles in Sassy Mama Singapore, as well as presented around the world on various topics including home/school partnerships.