Unlocking Your Child’s Day: Brain Science Tips for Better Conversations

We’ve all heard the familiar “I don’t know” when we ask our kids, “What did you do at school today?” But by understanding a bit about how their developing brains work, we can help them better recall and share their day.

Instead of asking broad questions, try being more specific without giving away the answer. For example:

• “Can you think of a time you felt excited today? How about silly? Was there a moment you felt sad or mad?”

You can also ask ‘obvious’ questions based on their daily routine:

• “Did you have circle time today? Who sat next to you?”

• “Did you read a book today?”

• “I see the playground has a pirate ship! Did you climb on it? Oh you did! Who else climbed the ship?”

Every day at school, children engage in activities like playing outside, eating lunch, having lessons, reading or being read to, and participating in group gatherings. Using these known routines helps spark their memory and gets them talking.

When you ask both emotion-based and factual questions, you’re engaging both sides of their brain. The right hemisphere processes emotions, while the left hemisphere handles logic and details. By encouraging them to reflect on both feelings and events, you help strengthen the connection between these two sides, enhancing their ability to process and express their experiences.

Remember, a child’s brain is naturally focused on the present. They need gentle guidance to "train their brain" to recall past experiences. With practice, they’ll become more skilled at this, and it’s a valuable tool that will benefit them in adulthood as they process and make sense of their experiences.