Anonymous wrote:I don't get much information out of my kid- you know how it is! Anyone have any creative questions you ask your children to find out how their day was? I find out a lot with A LOT of questioning but anything more fun? Thanks ladies and gents.

Did anyone get in trouble today?
Did anyone throw up today?

These questions opened the floodgates of information about my preschooler's day. A technique I stumbled upon by accident. . .

I remember reading somewhere that you should start off by sharing tidbits from your own day, as that sets the tone and makes it more conversational. Then you can ask about your child's day. My kids always share way more at bedtime than right after school. When they're trying to stall bedtime, they suddenly have a lot to say, lol.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:lol I always ask if anyone got in trouble and that gets them talking every time

So true!

"Who got in trouble today?" was always my warm up question!

You all are setting your kids up to be tattletales/gossips.

Anonymous wrote:lol I always ask if anyone got in trouble and that gets them talking every time

So true!

"Who got in trouble today?" was always my warm up question!

I always start with 'what was the best part about your day?'

who did they play with
who did the teacher shout at
what was for lunch
did they make anything (art)
what story did the teacher read to class and was it funny

and so on.

Agree with 2 truths and a lie.

I also ask things like, "what was the funniest/weirdest/smelliest/coolest/rudest/*insert something funny* thing that happened today?" which usually gets him talking and laughing.

We did (and still do), two truths/one lie at dinner every night. You have to share three things about your day, and everyone has to guess which one isn't true. Usually breaks the dam for lots of other stories as well.

Agree with getting specific with your questions. Also, help them expand and learn to converse by asking what colors did you draw with or what did you do with your extra free time?

"Who did you eat lunch with today?" can be very informative.

Depending on the model of instruction, "what centers did you visit?" or the equivalent...

Generally, the more specific the better.

Make your questions specific -- what songs did you sing at circle time/music? What did you draw? Who did you play with at recess?

Even better if you know something (from the teacher) about what they did, so you can make your questions even more specific: "I know you're studying apples this week! Did you say you liked the green ones or the red ones better?"

Also, my kids were always too tired after school to answer questions; bedtime was a much better time for conversation.

Anonymous wrote:lol I always ask if anyone got in trouble and that gets them talking every time

Amen! I remember DD was in a class where a lot of parents were upset because the teacher yelled. DD never complained. I asked her about it and she said, "Yes, she yells--but only at the kids who deserve it!"

So, there's another question for you--"does the teacher yell?"

My recommendation is to try to lead them without asking too many questions. I always found that car rides were the best time to chat. Whatever you do, don't ask "What did you do today?" You will likely get "nothing".

Ask "what did you read?" Did you draw anything? That type of thing. But, don't grill or they shut down.

Anonymous wrote:lol I always ask if anyone got in trouble and that gets them talking every time

LOL, good idea!

lol I always ask if anyone got in trouble and that gets them talking every time

I don't get much information out of my kid- you know how it is! Anyone have any creative questions you ask your children to find out how their day was? I find out a lot with A LOT of questioning but anything more fun? Thanks ladies and gents.