As a parent or caregiver, you are your child’s first and most important teacher! Every day, you have countless opportunities to help them learn and grow, and one of the most powerful ways you do this is through conversation and interaction. Learning to answer questions is a fundamental communication skill that opens doors to understanding, connection, and learning about the world around them. This helps a child increase their back and forth conversations.
From figuring out what they want for a snack to understanding a story or following instructions, answering questions is a crucial part of daily life. As a Speech-Language Pathologist, I often work with children on this very skill, and I’m here to share some simple, effective strategies you can use at home, woven into your everyday routines and playtime.
Children typically learn to understand and answer different types of questions in a general developmental sequence, starting with more concrete concepts. Don’t worry about sticking strictly to age-based milestones; instead, focus on where your child is currently and build from there. Patience and playful practice are key!
Let’s explore how you can help your child become a confident question-answerer, one question at a time.
Starting with the Basics: “What” and “Where”
Think about the questions you ask your child most often. Chances are, “What’s that?” and “Where is…?” are high on the list! These are excellent starting points as they relate to the child’s immediate environment and concrete objects.
“What” Questions:
These questions help children identify objects, actions, and ideas.
- In the kitchen:
- Holding up a banana: “What is this?” (Model the answer if needed: “Banana!”)
- Pouring milk: “What are you doing?” (Model: “Pouring milk!”)
- Looking in the refrigerator: “What do you want?” (Offer choices: “Do you want milk or juice?”)
- During playtime:
- Playing with blocks: “What are you building?” Blocks
- Looking at a book: “What does the dog say?” If You Give A Dog A Donut Book
- Playing with dolls or action figures: “What is the doll eating?” People Figures
- Scripts to try:
- “Look! What’s this?” (Pause) “It’s a car!” (Then ask again) “What is it?”
- “You’re playing with the ___! What is it doing?”
“Where” Questions:
These questions help children understand location and spatial concepts.
- Getting ready:
- “Where are your shoes?” (Look around with them) “Are they under the chair? No! Are they by the door? Yes! There are your shoes!”
- “Where does your coat go?”
- During playtime:
- Hiding a toy: “Where is the teddy bear?” (Give clues: “Is he under the blanket?”)
- Building a tower: “Where does this block go?”
- Reading a book: “Where is the cat hiding?”
- Scripts to try:
- “Let’s find your bear. Where is he?” (If they don’t respond, point and say) “He’s under the table! There he is!” (Then ask again) “Where was the bear?”
- “Put the ___. Where did you put it?”
Activities and Toys for “What” and “Where”:
- Picture books: Point to objects and characters and ask “What’s that?” and “Where is…?”
- Puzzles: As you put pieces in, ask “What is this piece?” and “Where does it go?”
- Blocks and building toys: Ask “What are you building?” and “Where should this block go?”
- Shape sorters: “What shape is this?” and “Where does the square go?” Shape Sorter
- Dollhouse or playsets: “Where is the mommy?” “What is the baby doing?” Doll House
- “I Spy” games: “I spy something red. What is it?” or “I spy something under the table. Where is it?” I Spy Game , I Spy Book
Moving to People and Actions: “Who” and “What Doing?”
Once your child is comfortable with “What” and “Where,” you can introduce “Who” and more action-oriented “What” questions (“What doing?”).
“Who” Questions:
These questions help children identify people and characters.
- Looking at photos:
- “Who is this?” (Point to a family member)
- “Who is in this picture with you?”
- Reading books:
- “Who is the main character?”
- “Who is talking?”
- During daily routines:
- “Who is coming to visit?”
- “Who helped you with that?”
- Scripts to try:
- “Look at this picture! Who is that?” (Provide the name if needed) “That’s Grandma! Can you say, ‘Grandma’?” (Then ask again) “Who is it?”
- “The doorbell rang! Who do you think it is?”
“What Doing?” Questions:
These questions focus on actions and verbs.
- Observing actions:
- Watching someone run: “What is he doing?”
- Watching a dog wag its tail: “What is the dog doing?”
- During playtime:
- Making a car drive: “What is the car doing?”
- Feeding a doll: “What are you doing?”
- Scripts to try:
- “Uh oh, the baby is crying. What is the baby doing?” (Model) “Crying!” (Then ask again) “What is the baby doing?”
- “The truck is driving fast! What is the truck doing?”
Activities and Toys for “Who” and “What Doing?”:
- Family photo albums: Ask “Who is this?” for different family members.
- Books with clear characters and actions: Ask “Who is running?” or “What is the bear eating?”
- Action figures or dolls: Act out different scenarios and ask “What is [character’s name] doing?”
- Vehicles: Push cars and trucks and ask “What is it doing?” (driving, stopping, going fast). Vehicles
- Animal toys: Make animal sounds and actions and ask “What is the cow doing?” Farm Set
Understanding Time and Reason: “When” and “Why”
As your child’s language skills grow, you can introduce more complex “When” and “Why” questions. These require a greater understanding of time, cause, and effect.
“When” Questions:
These questions relate to time, routines, and sequences of events.
- Talking about the day:
- “When do we eat breakfast?”
- “When do we go to the park?”
- “When did you see Grandma?” (Relate to a past event: “We saw Grandma after naptime.”)
- Reading books:
- “When did the character wake up?”
- “When did the story happen?”
- Scripts to try:
- “We go to bed at night. When do we go to bed?” (If they don’t respond, say) “At night!” (Then ask again) “When do we go to bed?”
- “First we put on our shoes, then we go outside. When do we go outside?”
“Why” Questions:
These questions encourage reasoning and understanding cause and effect. These can be the most challenging and may require more modeling and support.
- Explaining daily events:
- “Why do we wear coats when it’s cold?” (Explain the reason: “To stay warm!”)
- “Why do we brush our teeth?” (Explain: “To keep them clean and healthy!”)
- Reading books:
- “Why is the character sad?” (Look for clues in the pictures or text)
- “Why did that happen?”
- Scripts to try:
- “It’s raining outside. Why are we using an umbrella?” (Model) “Because it’s raining and we don’t want to get wet!” (Then ask again) “Why are we using an umbrella?”
- “You look happy! Why are you happy?” (Help them verbalize the reason) “Are you happy because we are playing?”
Activities and Toys for “When” and “Why”:
- Picture schedules or visual timers: Talk about “When” different activities happen. Visual Schedule , Timer
- Sequence puzzles or cards: Arrange events in order and talk about “When” each thing happens and “Why” it happens in that order. Sequencing Cards
- Simple science experiments: Explore cause and effect and ask “Why” things are happening.
- Storybooks with clear plots and character emotions: Discuss “Why” characters feel or act a certain way.
- Role-playing scenarios: Create situations and ask “Why” a character might do something.
General Tips for Success:
- Follow your child’s lead: Talk about what they are interested in and what is happening in their immediate environment.
- Keep it playful and relaxed: Learning should be fun! Don’t turn it into a test.
- Model the answers: If your child doesn’t know the answer, provide it for them and encourage them to repeat it.
- Offer choices: For younger children or those who are struggling, provide two possible answers to choose from (“Is the ball red or blue?”).
- Use visuals: Pointing to objects, pictures, or using gestures can help your child understand the question.
- Expand on their answers: If your child gives a one-word answer, repeat it and add a little more information (“Yes, that’s a dog! A big, brown dog!”).
- Be patient: Learning takes time and repetition. Celebrate small successes!
- Reduce the number of questions: Sometimes, we ask too many questions in a row. Mix in comments and observations to create a more natural conversation flow.
- Focus on “here and now” questions first: Questions about things that are present and happening now are easier than questions about past or future events.
Teaching your child to answer questions is a rewarding journey that you are already a part of. By incorporating these simple strategies into your daily interactions, you are providing them with the tools they need to communicate effectively, build relationships, and navigate their world with confidence. Keep talking, keep playing, and enjoy the wonderful conversations you’ll share!
Disclaimer: This article provides general information and suggestions for educational purposes. It is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment from a certified Speech-Language Pathologist. Please consult with a qualified professional if you have specific concerns about your child’s speech and language development.
Resources
For more information check out these resources:
MDS: Helping Your Child with Final Consonant Deletion
MDS: How to Find the Right Speech Therapist for Your Child
