It is no secret that getting kids to open up can be challenging. They are often tired, over-stimulated, and not in any mood to talk about their day. So, how do you go about connecting with them, learning more about their day, or simply having a chat with them?
Try asking them a question! Child development expert, Lisa Wilkin, says that asking children questions helps them ‘express feelings, learn how to communicate with others, grow their vocabulary, and build knowledge’. Besides, it’s really funny to hear how a four-year-old might run their own restaurant.
Try a few of these questions to get them to open up:
- If you could be any animal, what would you be? Why?
- What is your dream job?
- If you could take our family on vacation, where would we go?
- Which season do you enjoy most? The least?
- Which family rule do you like the least?
- If you could only eat one meal what would it be?
- What is your favorite activity we do as a family?
- If you could change one thing about your room, what would it be?
- What is your least favorite chore/responsibility?
- Did you see someone do something kind today?
- Did you do something kind today?
- Name three things that you would not want to live without.
- What do you wish we would do more often?
- If you could never have to eat one vegetable again, what would it be?
- What is your favorite word?
- If you were suddenly given a large amount of money, what would you do with it?
- What’s your favorite dessert?
- If you could give one gift to every single child in the world, what gift would you give?
- If you could add a pet to our family, what would it be?
- What is your favorite day of the week?
- What do you know how to do that you can teach to others?
- What do you feel grateful for today?
- Who do you like to spend time with?
- What is your favorite drink?
- What’s the best thing about being a kid?
- What do you think is the best thing about being an adult?
- If your pet could talk, what would it say?
- What do you dream about when you sleep?
- What is your favorite holiday? Why?
- Would you rather go on a vacation to the beach or the mountains?
- What is your favorite thing to do outside?
- What is your favorite movie?
- What is your favorite type of weather?
- If you owned a restaurant, what food would you serve and what would you NOT serve?
- When you’re sad, what’s the best way to make you happy?
- What is your favorite memory?
- What is something you would like to learn to do?
- What is something that confuses you?
- If you wrote a book, what would it be about?
- Do you know a good joke?
- If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
- Do you like your name? If not, what would you change it to?
- When are you feeling scared, what is something that makes you feel less afraid?
- If you could travel to another planet, where would you go?
- What is an invention you think the world needs?
- What is something you are looking forward to?
- What is something you wish you had more of?
- Would you rather go for a hot air balloon or boat ride?
- If your stuffed animals could talk, what would they say?
- What is your favorite thing to do with mom/dad/your siblings?
Here are a few other ways to use these questions:
- Jot down the answers your child gives, along with the date. Watch how their answers evolve over time.
- Have your child ask you, their siblings, or extended family members these questions.
Have you found a way to get your kids to open up to you?
Please share what works for you in the comments below or any other questions you’ve found to help your children open up.
Looking for more ways to connect with your children?
Check out our guides to Mid-Michigan here and plan a family day!
