Most parents will have experienced the dreaded conversation when you pick your youngster up from school and ask them about their day, only to receive one-word answers. Don’t worry; some children find it harder to open up than others and you should not despair. Sometimes all it takes is a few modest changes in the way you communicate with your child, and they will start to share more with you. 

Here are a few useful strategies from a prep school in Banstead to help you find the right communication techniques for you and your child… 

Try not to rush it 

It is not unusual for children to feel tired after school and want to chill out after a day of learning. They may not feel like chatting about their day the second they hop into the car at the end of the day, so give them a bit of time to relax first. Maybe try preparing a little snack or let them spend some time doing something they enjoy before you start asking about their day. 

Consider your questions 

You’ll get nowhere if you ask your child questions that don’t require more than a one-word answer, like “did you have a good day?”. Instead, think about wording your questions in a different way, like “what was the best thing you did at school today? Why was it so good?”. The right phrasing can make a world of difference. 

Show a genuine interest throughout the school year 

If you show that you are enthusiastic about your child’s education, they will be more likely to tell you about what they have learnt or achieved in class. Try and find suitable times for these conversations so that your child actually has your full attention and you have theirs. Dinner time is a good option, or perhaps if you’re out on a walk or driving somewhere.  

Stay informed 

Speak to your child’s school and potentially ask for an outline of the curriculum so that you know what your child is learning about. Independent schools may have a slightly different curriculum to public schools, so be sure to check this, As a result, you will be able to ask them more suitable questions and become more relatable to them, while showing how much you care about their education.