The power of questions:
Asking questions is a skill. If you ask purposeful and intentional questions you will get many wonderful responses and answers. If you just ask questions without much purpose or not expecting a reply, do not expect a good answer in return.
Why should you ask questions?
- questions builds problem solving and conflict resolution skills
- questions your students to think for themselves
- questions build awareness about the world around them
- answering questions heighten creativity
- questions helps build relationships between teacher/parent and student
What are the best kind of questions to ask?
Questions that are open ended questions, allow children to respond in many different and creative ways. When children are not wrong with any answer they can allow their imagination to flow freely.
These questions can be used in every day life and in any situation.
Example: Lea was fighting with Michael over a toy. The teacher noticing the skirmish turned to Lea and asked her ” Lea, I see both of you want this toy, how can it be worked out so that both of you are happy?”
When asked for her opinion, Lea was open for suggestions for she felt in control of the situation. She was open to sit down and problem solve together and come up with various solutions.
By asking the question, Lea had to come up with a response and was able to go along with it as long as it was reasonable and accommodating for both children. Lea felt good that she had decided on a solution and felt understood by her teacher.
Questions allow children to think differently and realize many small details they may have not captured.
I was in a clothing store with my daughter yesterday and when she saw the clothing we noticed that all the hangers used were the same. I asked why she thinks that is the case. She said she thought it was because they got a good deal on these hangers! We laughed and I told her I though that it looks more uniform to have the same hanger and yes they probably got a good deal for buying so many. The questions made her aware of her surroundings, it built our relationship on understanding and humor and allowed some insight of what running a store can entail.
The Questioning Process:
It may take children some time to become comfortable with your questions and see that you just want any response, coming up with various answers together the child will eventually get used to this type of questioning.
Open ended questions:
What are open ended questions? Questions that do not have yes and no for an answer.
I call it the w and h formula. All questions starting with a w, such as what, where, when and who and the h is for how.
What will happen if we add another layer of blocks?
Who do you think will use these tools?
When do you think the story happened?
How will the character help his friends?
With these questions there are no right or wrong answers, allowing the child to use their imagination and feel good about their response.
Your reaction to their answer makes a difference.
How you will respond is how the child will answer the question. If they know you will be accepting and not wash away their response or poke fun they will feel comfortable answering.
Watch how you respond. Allow it to be genuine.
Start with a question a day to start building creativity and awareness right away!