Spending time talking with your child helps them to learn and grow.
Simple ways to do this include talking about what they're learning at school and what they enjoy or find difficult. Listening is a really important job!
You can also reminisce and chat about the times your family has spent together, your own childhood, or talk about big ideas – such as the things you and your family believe in, your culture, science and nature or important issues that are happening in the community or the country.
- Talk with your child about what's happening at school. Ask about activities, topics, what they are learning or what they found interesting or fun in their day. Talking like this helps them believe in themselves and gain confidence.
- Ask specific questions to out draw information –instead of 'yes' or 'no' questions, try open questions that encourage discussion.
- How do you think you went with your maths or reading today?
- What made you laugh today?
- Who did you see being a helper today?
- What was the most interesting thing you did today?
- Keep trying, even if the answers are 'good' or 'nothing'! Find out what your child's favourite subjects are and what they are learning about. Try to make connections between what they are learning at school and everyday life, such as practicing reading and counting at the shops.
- Talk with your child about current issues and ideas. Exploring big ideas together is a way to get children thinking critically and being curious about how things work. Children can enjoy learning and putting their thoughts into words.
- Ask about friendships and relationships at school. Get to know who their friends are and how they spend their break times.