Back-to-School Questions to Ask Kids

We’ve all asked the same question and gotten the same answer from our kids.

—How was school?

—Fine.

I’ve learned my odds of getting more than one word improve when I get as specific as possible and ask about the small stuff.

As a former TDSB classroom teacher, let me offer you a few prompting questions to get you past “Fine” and into a meaningful conversation about school.

Remember that right after school might not be the best time to get the details. Our kids can be tired and hungry and need to unwind. I get much longer answers from my kiddo when we’re cozied up before bedtime.

Here are some questions specific to the first few days of school:

Which school supplies did you get to use? 

Where are they kept in the classroom? Can you help yourself or do you have to ask permission?

Did anyone (else) bring school supplies from home? What did they bring?

What happened when you had to use the washroom?  

Did you have to ask permission? Sign out? Go with a partner? 

Was it a little scary on the first day? 

What are the washrooms like? 

How far do you have to go?

Who did the announcements today? What did they say?

What was the first thing you did in the classroom? 

Did you meet on the carpet? Go straight to desks or tables? 

Did you get to choose where to sit?

Who did you sit next to?

Did you get any free time today? Inside or outside? What options did you have?

Does your classroom feel empty/fresh? Or already full? 

What’s on the walls so far? 

Does the clock work?

Are there any new kids (to the school) in your class?

Who are you (un)happy to have in your class?

Who do you wish was in your class? 

Who are you happy not to have in your class?

What did your teacher wear on the first day? 

What’s your teacher’s voice like? Loud/quiet? Do they speak quickly/slowly/a lot? 

Who do they remind you of?

How are they different from last year’s teacher?

Was there an assembly on the first day? Second day? If yes, what did the principal say to the whole school? 

Did the principal visit your classroom? 

Which adults visited your classroom? What did they say? 

Did you see (insert teachers/staff from last year)? Did you say hi to them yet?

Which custodians did you see? 

Who was on yard duty?

Who did you see from last year at recess?

Where did you eat your snack? 

Who’s going to teach you gym/music/art/drama? 

How long did your butterflies last today? 

Was it hard to eat lunch because of them? 

I know the butterflies are fluttering for all of us. Lots of hugs this week.