Open Ended Questions & Statements

We get caught up asking questions that result in one word answers. An alternative is formatting your curiosity using the examples below to enable your child to share their story, feelings, and ideas. They get to be heard as you spend time in their presence listening to understand them.

INFORMATION

  • Walk me through it, please.
  • Tell me your ideas.
  • What do you want to do first?
  • What’s getting in your way?
  • Tell me what else happened.
  • Is that what you meant?
  • What were you thinking about?
  • What resources do you need?

CLARIFYING

  • What is most important?
  • I’m not sure what the plan is.
  • What do you need to add/subtract?
  • What else do you need to consider?
  • Can you tell me again using other words?
  • Do you prefer one over the other?
  • So, it was just the one thing?
  • I’m not sure if you are mad or frustrated.

EMOTIONAL

  • It sounds really important to you.
  • I’m wondering how you feel.
  • You sound confident.
  • It’s exhausting doing that.
  • Did it feel like it would never end?
  • You took on a lot of responsibility.
  • How are you feeling now?
  • You made everyone laugh.

PROCESSING

  • How will you approach it?
  • What do you have to consider?
  • Do you need to start over?
  • So you’ll begin with this, and then?
  • How can I be of help?
  • What other options are you considering?
  • Do you need to make things okay with?

OUTCOME

  • What are your plans for later?
  • What happened in the end?
  • What will happen if you do nothing?
  • What was the easiest/hardest part?
  • How will this effect you/your friends later?
  • What this outcome satisfying?
  • What can you different next time?
  • I’m wondering what you learned from this.

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