Riding home from school with my daughter recently, I realized how much she talks to me about her day. I no longer have to probe her to give me more than, "it was fine." I also realize it's because I've groomed her ( so to speak) through the years.

She's only in third grade but I learned long ago the types of questions to ask to really get her motor going. She's talkative by nature, but in the beginning of her school career, she wasn't very detailed. It could have been that she was tired or, perhaps, bored with the monotonous question I asked daily ("How was your day?").

Let me share with you the questions I now ask to get the information/details I need and want.

• What was the funniest thing that happened today?
• Did you learn anything that really interested you?
• What did you learn that I probably don't know?
• Who had on the cutest outfit and what did you like about it?
• Did you talk to or play with anyone new on the playground?
• Did anyone get on your nerves/make you mad? What happened? How did you handle it?
• Who did something nice for you? (vice versa)
• Did you give/receive any compliments today?
• How is your teacher? What did he/she have for lunch? What did you eat for lunch?
• Tell me one thing you wish you could change about the day.
• Was any of your work extra hard for you? Did you ask for help?
• Did you clean up your desk before you left?
• Did you find any new books you'd like to read?

Of course, I don't ask all of these questions daily and all of them aren't relative to academics. They do, however, cause my daughter to think and recall details of her day. On the days that she doesn't want to talk, I give her that space. Sometimes she's worn out or in a bad mood and needs time to be. I do my best to respect her needs and give her space. She always opens up when she's ready.

I hope these questions help to get your child talking more about his/her day. Every child is different so be sure to alter the questions (if need be) to fit the personality, interests, and environment of your daughter/son. Better yet, I'm sure you'll come up with some of your own.

Let me know your techniques to get your kids opening up about their school day(s). I'd also love for you to share this post in hopes that it reaches some other parent who may need it. 

By the way, do you follow me on social media yet? How about subscribe to my Youtube channel? I'd love to have you join me! All social links are posted at the top and bottom of the page. Thanks so much for your support!