Parents often wonder how they can engage their children in meaningful conversations that will allow them to learn more about each other and that can foster a strong positive relationship with their children. And how can they do this without simply bombarding the children with one question after another?
One answer is to use the following conversation starters, at mealtime, during drives, before bedtime, or any time when you are spending time with your children.
Some parents have found it helpful to print these suggestions out on cards; the children can randomly pick a card that everyone present will then address.
How was today on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being terrible and 10 being terrific. What made it that way?
What was the high point and low point of your day?
Tell me the good news and the bad news about your day.
What is a thought or feeling you had today?
What was something you learned today?
What happened today that you did not expect?
What is a new experience you had this week?
What is something you have done recently that you are proud of?
How have you helped someone recently? How has someone helped you recently?
What are you looking forward to these days?
What do you like most about school? What do you like least about school?
What traits do you think make a teacher great?
What is your favorite season? Why do you like it?
What is your favorite holiday? What do you like about it?
What is one place you really want to visit/travel to?
If you could be one person from history, who would that be? Why?
If your child seems preoccupied -
I'm wondering what you are thinking about. Would you be willing to talk to me about it?
If you were ruler of the world for one day, what three things would you do? *
If you were to write a book, what would it be about? *
What would you do on a perfect summer day? *
* Provided by The Greater North Penn Collaborative for Health and Human Services:
