Does this sounds familiar?

You: “How was your day?”
Your Child: “Good.”
You: “What did you do?”
Your Child: “I don’t remember.”

We’re all eager to know how their day was. What did they do? What did they learn? But most of the time they give us one word answers. The trick is to ask about things that are specific, but still open-ended. Move beyond “yes” or “no” questions by asking your child to describe her/his world.

Try some of these conversation-starters:

Tell me about the best part of your day.
What was the hardest thing you had to do today?
Did any of your classmates do anything funny?
Tell me about what you read in class.
Who did you play with today? What did you play
What’s the biggest difference between this year and last year?
What rules are different at school than our rules at home? Do you think they’re fair?
Who did you sit with at lunch?
Can you show me something you learned (or did) today?
Did anyone do anything super nice for you?
What was the nicest thing you did for someone else?
Who made you smile today?
Who brought the best food in their lunch today? What was it?
What is your teacher’s most important rule?
What is the most popular thing to do at recess?
Tell me something you learned about a friend today.
When did you feel most proud of yourself today?
What rule was the hardest to follow today?
What is one thing you hope to learn before the school year is over?