Tired of asking ‘What did you do at school today?’ and getting a shrug? Consider using these activities at home to delve into what happened at school in a more creative way. (You can also participate by sharing your details or answers!)
(1) Play ABC’s about Your Day
Start by offering your “a” word, then you child can offer a “b” word, etc.
Parent: “A – I ate an apple.”
Student: “B – I borrowed my friend’s library book.”
Parent: “C – “I called and made an appointment to get your braces adjusted.”
Student: “D – “I did the highest number of push ups in PE class.”
This could become a dinner table or a driving in the car activity if that suits your school day afternoons better.
(2) Mind Set Questions (for use with older students)
Copy down the questions on separate strips of paper. Keep them in a box or container so a family member can draw one out for everyone to answer at dinner or sometime before bedtime.
- What difficult decision did you make today?
- What did you do today that was easier than you anticipated?
- What problem did you solve that surprised you?
- What can you do tomorrow to make your day feel more smooth, more in control than it did today?
- What mistake did you make that actually taught you something?
- What challenged you today?
- Name something that made you feel proud about yourself.
- List two or three positive things or comments you observed going to or from school, while talking with your friends, listening to the teacher, etc.
- What question(s) do you have about how to handle a situation you experienced, watch unfold, that you read about or that you want to know more about?