Kids are full of questions. We can sometimes find ourselves tired of giving them answers, especially when they ask the same question more than once. However tiresome the endless questions may be, it’s actually good that they are asking questions and they should be encouraged to ask even more. According to Parents.com “When you answer your child’s questions, you help keep your child’s mind open, says author and parenting expert Michele Borba, Ed.D.” This parenting advice will help you get your kids talking and help them use their imaginations and satisfy their need to learn.
Parenting Advice: Ask your kids questions to keep them talking.
Teaching your child to talk doesn’t have to be all work. It can be fun for both of you. The main important part is to just get your kids talking so they can mimic your words and patterns and continue to learn and grow. Cupid has some parenting tips when it comes to some ways to get your kids talking more:
1. Ask them open-ended questions: You want to get their minds and imagination working and open-ended questions are a great way to do that. Instead of asking them yes or no questions, ask them questions that require a more elaborate answer. Ask them questions that will make them think and talk more. You can ask them what they like to daydream about, or what makes them happy. If they give a short answer prompt them to elaborate.
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2. Parent-Kid Activities:Â Life is busy and sometimes we feel like we don’t have enough time in the day to do everything we need. It’s important that we make time to be with our kids because they learn much of their words and behaviors from us. If we just sit around on our smartphones that is what they will mimic. Set aside time every night to do an activity with your child. Working together on a puzzle, or playing an easy game of go-fish is a good way to break into conversation with your child and get them talking.
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3. Listen and participate:Â When your child starts asking you a hundred questions, don’t blow them off. It only takes a few minutes to engage them when they want to ask questions, and showing them you are interested in what they have to say will only prompt them to talk even more and ask more questions which are a good thing. It not only helps them learn to talk and open their imaginations but sets the precedent that you are there to listen and help them learn and that is equally important in their development.
Encouraging questions and asking questions of your own are great ways to get your children talking. Let us know your thoughts about getting your young children to talk in the comments below.
