Open Ended Questions to Ask Your Gradeschooler

An open ended question cannot be answered simply with a yes or no. These are the best kinds of questions, especially to ask your kids. They get their brain juices flowing and give them a chance to use their thinking and language skills and formulate unique, thoughtful responses. Here are some suggests for open ended questions to ask primary aged kids.

With Books & Reading

1. What do you think this book is about?
   
2. Why do you think that happened?
   
3. Why do you think _______ did that/this?
   
4. What would you do if that/this happened to you?
   
5. What would you do differently if you were this character?
   
6. What's a different way this story could have ended?
   
7. How would you change this story if you were writing it?

Related to School & Schoolwork

1. What was your favorite part of school today? Why?
   
2. What do you wish your would have done today at school? Why?
   
3. What was the hardest part of your day today?
   
4. What were the names of the kids you sat with at lunch?
   
5. What was something new that you did today at school?
   
6. What was the most interesting thing your teacher said today?
   
7. What does your teacher like to do?
   
8. What's your favorite part of your schedule at school? Why?
   
9. Who do you share a locker/cubby with?
   
10. Who is close to your locker/cubby?
    
11. What do you hope to do tomorrow?
    
12. Do you think your teacher sleeps at school?
    
13. What do you think your teacher dreams about?

General or Bedtime Questions

1. What was your favorite part of today?
   
2. Who did you play with today?
   
3. What did you play today?
   
4. Did you know that some animals sleep all day and are awake only at night? What do you think about that?
   
5. Why do you think sleep is good for our bodies?
   
6. How does sleep make you feel?
   
7. What would you like to do tomorrow?
   
8. Why do you think we dream?
   
9. What do you like to dream about?
   
10. What do you want to dream about tonight?
    
11. Did anything make you angry today?
    
12. What makes you feel safe?
    
13. Is there anything you wish you'd have done differently today? What and what?
    
14. What do you think mom/dad dream about?