Discover unique ways to delve deeper into their interests and foster meaningful dialogue in this blog post.
Engaging with our children about their school experiences is essential for fostering communication and understanding their interests.
When asking a child about their favorite subjects in school, it’s important to frame the question in a way that encourages conversation rather than just receiving a brief response. Here are some creative ways to spark a meaningful dialogue:
The Memory Lane Approach: “Can you tell me about a time in class that made you really excited or curious? What subject were you learning about?”
The Imaginary Scenario: “If you could teach a subject to your friends, which one would it be? What makes that subject so interesting to you?”
The Comparison Game: “If you had to choose between science and art classes for a whole day, which one would you pick? Why do you prefer that subject over the other?”
The Dream Job Discussion: “When you think about what you want to be when you grow up, which subjects in school do you think will help you the most in that career? How do you see yourself using those subjects?”
The Secret Admirer: “I’ve noticed how much effort you put into your [specific subject] homework. What is it about that subject that makes you enjoy working on it so much?”
The Future Explorer: “If you could invent a brand-new subject to learn in school, what would it be? What topics would you cover in this imaginary class?”
The Family Comparison: “Which subjects do you think I enjoyed the most when I was your age? Do you think we have similar interests in school subjects, or are there any differences?”
By using these creative approaches, parents can encourage their children to express themselves more freely and engage in deeper conversations about their school experiences and preferences.
Remember, the goal is not just to know their favorite subjects but to understand why they enjoy them and how they relate to other aspects of their lives.
Now that you are thinking about different ways of approaching these conversations, reflect on what your preferences are in the activities that you yourself enjoy. Do you have any common connections with your child? Are there differences that would be interesting to explore together? Make the first move to have your child show you their way of approaching a topic. As you participate in their world, they will be more likely to participate in yours.
What did you learn about your child when you asked them what they liked through any of the approaches above?
Did your child lean towards strategic thinking types of activities? Relationship or imagination? Creative or musical? Paying attention to what your child enjoys doing the most will help you understand how they think, what their strengths are, and will help you how you support them as they grow into adults thinking about careers. (Not to mention it helps to give insight into educational gifts for birthdays and other holidays!)