Thank you, parents. You’re their first and favorite teachers. Want your child to tell you about their day? Try a better question than “How was your day?”
Before any classroom, there was you. You taught them to wave bye-bye, to say “more” and to blow on hot soup. You still teach them every day, mostly without trying. They watch how you talk, how you help and how you love.
What it means for your child
Here’s how you’re teaching, at every age.
- Babies: When you talk back to their coos and babbles, you’re showing them how talking works. Keep chatting, even if it feels silly.
- Toddlers: They copy everything: how you stir, how you sweep, how you talk on the phone. Let them help, and they learn by doing.
- Preschoolers: They love to tell you what they know. Ask good questions and listen closely. That’s teaching, too.
- School-age kids: They learn a lot at school, but you’re still their guide. Show interest in what they learn, and share what you know.
Try this tonight
Tonight, swap “How was your day?” for a better question.
- At dinner or bath time, ask, “What made you laugh today?”
- Listen to the whole answer without fixing or teaching anything.
- Tell them what made you laugh today, too.
Words you can use
- “What made you laugh today?”
- “Tell me more about that.”
- “I love hearing about your day.”
At Nana’s Place
Nana’s Place is childcare for ages 6 weeks to 12 years, day, evening and overnight, at two locations in Glendale. Parents are a child’s first teachers, and we’re glad to be part of the team. Come meet us on a tour.
Questions parents ask
My child says “nothing” when I ask about their day. What should I do?
Ask a more specific question, like “Who did you sit with at lunch?” or “What was the best part?” Bedtime and car rides are great times to talk.
Am I doing enough to teach my child at home?
If you talk, read, play and listen, you’re doing a lot. Everyday things like cooking and grocery shopping are full of learning. You don’t need fancy lessons.
So give yourself some credit. You’re doing great, grown-ups, and the kind words you use at home go a long way. After all, kind words are like sunshine.
