As adults, we often seek feedback to ensure we are on track, performing well, or effectively communicating our messages. Children are no different; they also seek feedback and reassurance from parents, extended family, peers, and teachers. Our teachers are dedicated to providing continuous feedback to students, encouraging them to discuss their learning and explore concepts more deeply.

Just as feedback from teachers is crucial for a student’s academic progress, conversations at home about classroom activities are equally important. Many parents have experienced the typical shoulder shrug, grunt, or “I don’t know” when asking their child about their school day. This is quite common in many households. Sometimes, simply changing the timing or phrasing of your questions can yield better responses. Children are often tired after a full day of being “switched on,” so waiting until dinner time to ask about their day can be more effective.

Dr. Ian Lillico, an international consultant specialising in gender, boys’ education, and middle schooling, suggests that children are more likely to open up when they are sitting or standing beside you, such as in the car or while doing chores like washing dishes. Standing side by side with less eye contact seems to help children relax and talk more freely. Similarly, engaging in physical activities like kicking or throwing a ball can also encourage conversation.

Consider trying some of these conversation starters to get your child talking. Maybe everyone in the family can take turns answering them:

• What made you laugh today?
• What friendly thing did you do today?
• What did you put a lot of effort into today?
• What made you think hard today?
• What tricky thing did you figure out how to do better?
• What helpful thing did you do for someone?
• What problem did you solve today?
• What are you grateful for today?
• How did you recover from something that went wrong today?
• What did you enjoy in the classroom? Outside the classroom?

By engaging in these conversations, you can support your child's learning and development, making their educational journey more connected to their daily life.