At the end of every school day, sometimes around dinnertime, children are often asked, “How was your day?” or “What Did You Do in School Today?”
Have you tried asking your child that this year? The answers may vary, depending on age, gender, or personality of the child.
A grade 2 might say – “We went to library today and I got a book!” or “At recess today I played soccer and scored a goal!”
A grade 4 might say – “I had a fun day.” or “In math we started multiplying.”
A grade 7 might say – “Nothing.”
No matter what they answer, please don’t stop asking. Connecting to children about their school day (or any day) is very important.
Add to you repertoire of questions (beyond the “How was your day?” or “What Did You Do in School Today?”).
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“Tell me about something new you learned today.”
“Who did you play with at recess and what did you play?”
“What happened at school today that made you smile? Tell me about it.”
“Did you see anyone do something nice for someone else? Describe for me what he/she did.”
“If you had to write a story about your day, what would you choose to write about?”
A friendly hint about the last one: if you want it written down, you write it (scribe it) as they tell the story. If students have to write all their stories, they often resort to the simplest story they can tell: “Nothing.”
Communicate early with your children about school, and ask a variety of questions. Keep asking, and keep sharing. Encourage story telling, and avoid (when possible) yes or no questions.
Stories come in all shapes and sizes. Be curious about your child’s day, and they will be open and share what goes on in their world.
Share your stories.
Take care