How to Get Your Child Talking About School

If you want to get kids to talk about school, but only hear “fine” or “I don’t know,” you are not alone.

If you ask your child how school was and only get “fine” or “I don’t know,” you are not alone. Many parents feel frustrated when their child offers very little after a full day of learning, playing, and exploring.

The truth is, children are natural storytellers, but they do not always respond well to direct questions. They prefer to share stories, especially when you model that behavior first. If you tell them something funny or weird about your day, they are more likely to share something from theirs.

Most importantly, show them that you are curious, not just about their grades or behavior, but about their feelings, friendships, and silly moments. Those are often the parts they want to share the most. These prompts are a simple way to get kids to talk and build stronger communication habits at home.

These prompts are fun, imaginative, and far more effective than “How was school?”

These prompts are fun, imaginative, and far more effective than “How was school?”

• What was the best thing that happened today? What was the worst?
• Tell me something that made you laugh.
• Who would you want to sit next to in class? Who would you rather not sit next to? Why?
• What is the coolest place in your school?
• Did you hear any weird words or funny phrases today?
• If I called your teacher tonight, what would she say about you?
• How did you help someone today? How did someone help you?
• What is one thing you learned today?
• When were you the happiest today? When were you the most bored?

And a few extra creative ones:

• If an alien spaceship visited your class, who should they take with them?
• Who is the funniest kid in class? Why?
• What part of lunch was your favorite?
• If you got to be the teacher tomorrow, what would you do?
• Is there anyone in your class who might need a time-out?
• Where do you play the most at recess?
• Who would you like to play with at recess that you have not played with yet?
• What word did your teacher say most today?
• What should you do more of at school? What should you do less of?
• Who in your class could use a little extra kindness from you?

If you try these questions and still get short answers, that is okay. Keep asking – but space it out. Let the silence do some of the work. Children often need time to process before they respond. Ask casually, with no pressure. You might be surprised at what comes up an hour later, or even the next day.

Most importantly, show them that you are curious, not just about their grades or behavior, but about their feelings, friendships, and silly moments. Those are often the parts they want to share the most.

(📌 Learn more about how we support emotional growth and communication in our primary BMLA classrooms.)

(🌐 Explore additional conversation tools at The Center for Parenting Education.)