Curiosity Questions Conversational

The root of education is educare—to draw forth.

1. Children will listen to you AFTER they feel listened to.

2. When children hear a command, a signal is sent to the brain that invites resistance. When children hear a respectful question, a signal is sent to the brain to search for an answer. In the process they feel capable and are more likely to cooperate.

3. Stop “telling” and “ask” curiosity questions (using your own words) such as:

• “What happened?”
• “How do you feel about it?”
• “How do you think others feel?”
• “What ideas do you have to solve this problem?”

4. See “Curiosity Questions Motivational.”

One of the most important skills that both models mutual respect and allows children to develop their perceptions of personal capability is open-ended questioning. This Positive Discipline Tool, Curiosity Questions, also helps develop “social feeling” because the child feels respectfully included.