A Guide To Asking Children Questions About Learning To Inspire Connection

After all the fun of crafting there is still a whole lot of magic to tap into. With a little time and space to reflect, your child will have a lot to talk about. Approaching that conversation is something we all struggle with. From emotional timing, the right setting to what questions to ask. Here’s everything you need to know. 

When Is The Best Time For A Crafty Chit-Chat? 

Timing is everything when it comes to chatting with your little one, From how things are going at school, how they are feeling to what they are finding hard. Ask when they are too tired, over excited or having a tantrum and chances are you might not get the best reception. When are they most calm, relaxed and present? No one knows the answer to this question better than you. Maybe it’s the drive to school, dinner time or cuddled up on the sofa reading a book. Here are some of the times that we find work best to ask questions about their crafting adventure and get them talking;

Story Time Before Bed

The best time of day (for grown-ups as well as little ones) is that beautiful little space to wind down from the day and prepare for sweet dreams. Tucked up in bed without any distractions from noise, screens or the daily routine is a great time to ask them any questions on your mind. 

Making Dinner

Whether baking a cake or helping set the table, when their minds are switched off and doing something unrelated to learning they can be more reflective, open and honest about their experiences. These moments are golden opportunities for unexpected lessons and discoveries. 

Post-Crafting Snack & Snuggle

After they have exerted all that energy having fun, a post crafting snack and snuggle is a great time to ask them questions. Everything is still fresh in their mind and being able to relax and reflect can strengthen the connection with you from being able to share their experience. 

Traveling 

Turn boring car journeys to anywhere from the supermarket to school into fun chit-chats. With nowhere else to be and nothing else to do you can get their full attention (and give them yours) Sometimes carving out this time can be challenging and travel provides a great escape from to-do lists and to have some meaningful time together.

How To Approach Conversations About Learning? 

Understanding your little one's learning journey is something that evolves over time.  Try and approach the conversion with a focus on  listening without expectation. The more open you are to learning from them the more you will discover. Try and not get overwhelmed or overthink it, after all it really is a case of trial and error. Talking to them about learning at different times and in different environments helps you discover what works for you. The key is to stay open and curious. 

P.S The places you tap some of the most magical conversations might surprise you.

What Are Some Good Questions To Ask About Learning? 

There are plenty of questions to open the gates into their learning adventure. We send you your own list after completing every craft kit to get chatting.

 Here are some of our favourites from our Jungle Craft Kit;

1. What did you enjoy most about the jungle? 

2. What animals did you make? 

3. Why do monkeys have long arms?

4. What are they good at?

5. Why do you think the jungle is full of different animals?

6. What is your favourite animal?

7. Why? 

8. What did you find the hardest about crafting?

9. Why?

10. What would you like to get better at?

11. How will you try and do that in your next craft kit?

The Leaning Take-Aways

Remember there is  no right or wrong way to approach conversations about learning. We all learn differently and at our own pace and this is something that inspires every theme and lesson of our craft kits. Every craft kit provides an opportunity for your Mini Maker to develop new skills, strengthen connection and inspire reflection. Finding what works for you like crafting is a case of experimenting.

 From bedtime stories, sofa snuggles to car journeys keep exploring when they are most open and chatty. Having a few questions in mind to ask them helps you be prepared for those golden opportunities. Every month we send you ‘question time’ with a list of questions to reflect on the month's crafting kit. As we believe the benefits go beyond the fun of the ‘doing’ . They go on to inspire learning conversations with your little one and the chance to tap into their imaginations. Those imaginations are very special places and there is no greater magic than enjoying a cuppa and letting them share what they have learned.