As a parent, engaging in meaningful conversations with your preschooler is essential for their growth and development. Here are some great questions that you can ask your little one to encourage their curiosity and creativity:

1. What’s Your Favorite…?

More than likely, you already know about many of your preschooler’s “favorites.” However, what they consider their favorite thing (you pick the category) can be an ever-changing, revolving door. That’s why continuously asking, “What’s your favorite?” is so important! As your child grows, learns, and changes, their preferences on certain things will also change. Ask them about their favorite color, song, toy, book, or food. The possibilities are endless with this question, and from this question, conversations about why they like or dislike certain things can start to happen. It is simple yet effective and will help you learn much about your growing preschooler!

2. How Does That Make You Feel?

Processing feelings and emotions for a preschooler can be very overwhelming. Often, the feelings they’re feeling are new. As a parent, a great way to help your child navigate their emotions is by asking them the right questions. The best place to start is by asking, “How does that make you feel?”. This one question can open the door for many conversations and discussions about feelings. Help them to understand the meaning of adjectives like “sad,“ “happy,“ and “mad.” The more they can verbalize what they are feeling, the more you can understand them and what’s happening inside their little heads!

3. What Do You Think?

Allowing your preschooler to have an opinion on certain things is a significant part of their development. When your child knows that they are heard and that their thoughts matter, they will feel safe and understood by you. Of course, there are boundaries with this question because sometimes, they will not like something that you believe is best for them. But this is an excellent question regarding simpler things like what’s packed in their lunch box, what outfit they’ll wear to school, or what book they want to read. Giving them a voice and opinion in small areas will help them to understand that they matter. What they have to say is important to you and will always be taken into consideration.

4. What Are You Good At?

In today’s world, instilling confidence in your children can be challenging. The noise around them constantly tells them to be better and do better. This noise creates an “I’m not good enough” mindset. As their parent or guardian, it is essential to call out what they are good at and have them call out what they are good at. A humble recognition of themselves creates healthy confidence they can carry throughout life. Encourage your preschoolers to speak positively about themselves and watch as they grow to believe in themselves more and more!