“How was school?” can be a hard question for kids to answer. In order to answer, your child has to sum up a whole day which is hard for kids to do. This is often the reason why when you ask about their day, all you get is an ‘OK’ back. Other children feel their school experiences are private, so they may not wish to share them with you. This is just a normal part of school-age development as children start to shape their own identities and social worlds. But your child still needs to know you’re there when she’s ready to talk.
 
Why talking about school is important
Talking with your child about the school day shows that you are interested in what is going on in his life. The interest boosts his mental health, happiness and wellbeing and can also have a very positive effect on your child’s behaviour and achievement. It demonstrates to your child that you place a high value on school and education. This will encourage him to value it too.
Talking together about school will also help you get to know what is expected of your child at school, how she learns and how she deals with challenges. It can also help you to understand why she’s feeling less interested in school or if she’ is having any problems. Being in toucgh with how your child is feeling about school will mean you are more likely to be able to work together to solve any issues.
If your child is having any problems, you can start by speaking to his teacher.
 
Strategies for talking about school with your child
Your child will more than likely be tired or hungry or thinking about other things when she first gets home. Easing the transition from school or after-school activities to home can help your child feel more like talking.
When your child gets in from school, simply let him know that you’re happy to see him and chat to him about non-school related topics for a while. Younger children will also like help unpacking their bags and going through any notes before you start asking about school.
Every evening will be different, some days he will be bursting to tell you about his day, while other days he won’t want to talk. As a parent, sometimes you just have to know to pick the right moment.
Some simple questions to get your child talking include:
  • What did you like best at school today?
  • What does your classroom look like at the moment?
  • Who did you play with at school today?
  • What subjects did you do today?
  • What did you have for lunch today?
  • What did you learn in school today?
When you ask your child about their school day, try to use open-ended questions. An open-ended question will invite answers that are longer than just ‘yes’, ‘no’ or ‘OK’.  For instance, why not ask him what games he played at lunch? 
 

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