So, the door opens, your little kids rush in from school…your older kids drag in from school. What next? I know you are curious about their school day but wait! Hold off until they’ve had a snack, finished their sports practice, had that piano or karate lesson and/or had a chance to relax or play outside, a chance to decompress.
Ever asked, “What did you to at school today?” and gotten a shrug. Questions may get answers once the kidlets are settling in at the dinner table, while you are sharing a story or as you send them off to bed. K.I.S.S.- Keep It Short, Sweety. Ask 1 or 2 at the most and let them share whatever part of their day (since breakfast and up to this moment that has meaning or maybe bothered them). It’s better to let them share than to become an inquisitor. Here’s the list of possible queries:
- What was your favorite part of today?
- What was your least favorite part of today?
- What funny thing happened today?
- What happened in a story you were reading today?
- Did you notice a time today when you used math and it wasn’t even math class?
- If you could change one thing today what would it be?
- If you were the teacher, what would you have had the class do this afternooon at school?
I remember once my kids asked me what I did today while they were at school. It stopped me in my tracks. That was MY question. Now, what was my answer? I ran through my day and found I remembered nothing. Sure I’d cleaned up the house, gone to the grocery store and maybe worked on a project, but put on the spot I drew a blank. Kids do as well so save your queries for a time after they have slowed down.