It is very important that parents are aware of the day-to-day life of our children at school. They spend many hours there and it is key that we know how they are doing in school, not only with regard to studies but also to coexistence with classmates, how they relate and what they do during those hours.
There are very communicative children who tell us everything, but others are not so much and we go a little blind. If you want that when you return from school the answer to "How did you do in school" is not a dry "Good", we suggest some ideas to know how your son did in school without asking him directly.
We should not force children to respond if they do not feel like it and of course it is not necessary or desirable that we do all this interrogation on a daily basis. The only thing we will end up getting is not told anything about his day at school, just the opposite of what we want to achieve.
1. What has been the best of the day?
A good strategy is to ask them what has been for them the best and the worst of the day. You can adopt it as a daily routine and comment on leaving school or if you prefer at the table at dinner time.
Another good idea is to write it down in a notebook or an agenda. In the school of my daughters they raised it as an activity to know which are those things that children enjoy the most and which less. And it is not enough just to say "math class" without justification, there may be little things like the gesture of a partner that will change your day for good.
In Babies and more, my son leaves school very angry: how to help children who seem to "explode" when they leave class2. What has been the worst of the day?
Equally important is knowing what they didn't like at all, so that they can work with them and talk to teachers if we see that they are having a bad time.
3. Draw me a drawing
Sometimes they have a hard time saying it with words and it's easier for them express it through a drawing. You can ask your child to draw a picture of him or her at school and from there tell us what he has drawn.
4. What have you learned today?
Every day you learn something new, and I am not only referring to academics, but to any type of teaching. It is a good exercise that we ask the children from time to time what they have learned today and know how to identify life lessons in the little things.
5. Did something bad happen to you today?
We may one day see our son something sad when leaving class. In that case we can inquire and ask you respectfully if something has happened to you, in this way you will feel more confident to tell it.
6. With whom or who have you played at recess?
It will help us to know better how and with whom our child relates when he is not in class.
7. How about in the dining room?
The end of the question is not to know what they have eaten, since parents have the dining menu. We want to know if they liked it, without having eaten little or much, if something exceptional happened that day ...
8. What or who made you feel good today?
That way you can help him express his emotions and help you get to know your child better.
9. What or who made you feel bad today?
On the other hand, if there has been something that has made you feel bad, it is also important to know. In life there are also bad days.
10. What has been the easiest of the day?
Maybe some exercise or presentation that has been given better than I expected.
11. What has been the hardest part of the day?
A good clue to reinforce what costs you the most.
12. Who have you sat next to today?
Sometimes we don't know simple questions like who sits next to our son.
13. What has been the funniest moment of the day?
It is essential that children have a good time at school and that funny moments outweigh boring ones.
In Babies and more, how to ensure that your children do not respond to 'How has school gone' with a 'Good' to dry14. What are you seeing in language class, history, etc.?
This way we can detect news and themes in which we can help you.
15. Has anyone treated you badly today?
A key question to detect cases of harassment or situations to be remedied.
16. If you were the teacher, what would you do?
A good idea is to make them change their point of view and put them in the place of the other person.
17. What have you played at playground time?
The moments of recreation are very important for the little ones and their way of playing can tell us a lot about how they are.
18. With whom would you like to interact more?
If we see that he always talks to us about the same group of friends, maybe it's a good question to ask.
19. Have you helped a partner today?
We will know how they are with their peers and we will promote solidarity.
20. Have you worked hard today?
You can take advantage to know what he has done today and how much he has worked hard.
21. Did you like music / art class?
There are children who have a special preference for certain subjects. Asking about them is a good connection point.
22. Has something interesting happened?
In this way we will know if there has been any remarkable fact.
23. Is there anything I have to know?
They often forget to tell us important questions such as test dates, homework or materials that they have to carry.
24. What has been your favorite moment of the day?
Most likely they tell us that we recess, but we can be surprised.
25. What would you change about your school?
The parents decide which is the best school for them, but it is important that they also be critical.
26. What do you like most about your school?
The children's opinion about their school is paramount.
27. If you could turn back time, what would you change today?
Another way to ask if something went wrong.
