Parenting Insights: Engaging with children after their school day is crucial for their emotional development. However, many parents often default to the same question: "What did you learn at school today?" Pediatrician Michelle Shah recently shared insights on this topic through a video on her Instagram account. She emphasizes that repetitively asking this question can inadvertently pressure children.

According to Michelle Shah, children often feel exhausted after a day at school. Expecting them to articulate everything they learned right away can lead to a mindset focused solely on results. This can create a situation where children feel they must always provide a specific answer. There are times when they have absorbed a lot but struggle to verbalize their thoughts, leading to silence or frustration.

Shah acknowledges that parents' intentions are well-meaning. They genuinely want to understand their child's educational experiences, the teaching methods, and the overall school atmosphere. However, by slightly altering the way questions are posed, parents can encourage more open dialogue.

Alternative Questions to Ask Your Child
The pediatrician suggests that parents should focus on questions that explore their child's experiences rather than just the outcomes. Here are some examples:

Question 1: Did you encounter any challenges at school today?

Question 2: What games did you play with your friends today?

Question 3: Was there something the teacher said that you found confusing?

Question 4: Did anything enjoyable happen at school today?

These types of questions help children feel that their feelings, experiences, and efforts are valued. They can respond without the pressure of being right or wrong, which encourages them to share more about their day.

This approach fosters an understanding in children that life is not solely about achieving goals; the journey is equally significant. By making these conversational adjustments, children can build confidence and learn to express their emotions more effectively.

Thus, it is essential for parents to dedicate quality time each day to converse with their children. Asking thoughtful questions can unlock a child's inner world.

PC Social Media