Hi, do any of you have any ideas on how to encourage little ones to better express themselves? My 5 year old can talk you in circles about what she wants to talk about when she feels like it, but when you ask her a direct question about something specific, she usually gives one word answers. Her teacher says that's normal for younger kids in large families (4 kids), but now that I know she's lacking in that area, I want to help her improve outside of school. Any suggestions?

If I ask right after school, mine do the same thing, I found if I wait until they are getting ready for bed and we read a book and then ask they are more likely to tell me something.


My daughter loves to draw, maybe you can get her to draw something about school and tell you about the picture?

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"A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked." ~ Bernard Meltzer

You know, my kindergartner is like yours, guys! She has so much to say, but asking her to tell me about her day brings little results! I have found that asking questions AFTER a fun little lunch (she an AM kindergartner) works slightly better.

I took a tip from my sister, who asks her son to tell her the best 2 things that happened that day, and anything else that might've made him confused or worried, as well.

Good luck!

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"The errors of faith are better than the best thoughts of unbelief." - Thomas Russell

Hmmm....I read the question as something more than asking about her day at school and getting a detailed response. I thought the OP was asking about getting more elaborate responses to any question that might not be in the child's "favorite subjects to talk about" list....more to the point of being able to respond to questions in the classroom and in social situations. But I could be wrong.

I guess I'd recommend trying some questions that don't have a yes/no answer....praising for response with detail......telling your own stories back for example, etc.

cj/

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I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips

Talking to my little guy is like pulling teeth too sometimes. Even when he wants to tell me something he sometimes hesitates. Usually if I'm patient he'll tell me that day. Or if I ask indirect questions about his day like "what book did you get?" instead of "did you go to the library today?"

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Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle

Many years ago we started "telling about our days" at the dinner table. Everyone gets a turn from youngest to oldest. Each child gets to speak without interuption for three minutes, (this helps them focus their thoughts and teaches them how to tell things over without unnecessary details). Then we discuss what was brought up and move on to the next child. I never realized how important this was to my children untill my DS started school (9yrs ago) and when he came home I asked him how school was "fine" Did you make friends "yes" etc. Then at the dinner table he jumped up and said "Can I tell about my day?" and then went on and on with detail after detail.
One more thing if someone interups their sibling they loose one minute of their three minutes. Work like a charm and also teaches them to listen to others.
HTH
Debra