Learning Moments Made Simple: Asking Thought-Provoking Questions

This week we’re thinking about questions. Specifically, thought-provoking “thinking questions.” These kinds of exchanges with your child can help your little one express the reasoning behind their actions, knowledge, and emotions.

WHAT: Stimulating Reflection with Thinking Questions

Thinking questions serve as a way to prompt your child to consider and discuss their thoughts. Through consistent practice, children develop the ability to articulate the rationale behind their actions, awareness, and sentiments.

WHY: Nurturing Thoughtful Minds

It's not just about answers; it's about fostering a habit of thoughtfulness and instilling the confidence to communicate their reflections to others.

HOW: Crafting Inquiry with Three Types of Questions

As a parent, you can cultivate a culture of thinking questions by use three types of questions:

Doing Questions: Unleashing Creativity

Ask about how and why your child approaches tasks. For instance:

  • When engaged in pretend cooking, explore what they are cooking and their process;

  • When stacking blocks, delve into the reasoning behind their block choices and arrangements.

Knowing Questions: Exploring Understanding

Dig into how and why your child possesses certain knowledge. For instance:

  • If they say that there are a lot of blocks in a corner of them, ask them to explain how they know that there a lot of blocks and not just some blocks—are they counting?

  • When talking about sizes of object, explore the reasoning behind their understanding of size differences.

Feeling Questions: Navigating Emotions

Ask about how and why your child experiences specific emotions. For example:

  • If they seem stressed, ask about what is causing the stress.

  • When expressing excitement, start a conversation about the sources of their enthusiasm.

Regularly integrate these questions to stimulate curiosity, deepen comprehension, and promote open communication. It's not just about finding answers. It's about embarking on a journey of exploration and self-expression!

Discover more insightful tips in our other blog posts or explore local literacy-related events on our calendar.

Check out even more great tips on how to incorporate learning into your everyday routine with the Administration for Children & Families’ guide here.

Matt Whitman