The Power of Questions

The Power of Questions

Questions are at the heart of learning, thinking, and communicating. Questions can get at information, decisions, and opinions. People use reasoning, explanation, and build vocabulary when they ask and answer questions. There are two types of questions--open-ended and closed-ended. Each type has its place, but open-ended questions are more engaging and thought provoking.

Open-ended questions cannot be answered with one or two word answers such as “yes” or “no”.

Open-ended questions often begin with:

• what

• how

• who

• why

Closed-ended questions can be answered with one or two word answers such as “yes” or “no”.

Closed-ended questions often begin with:

• Did you …?

• When …?

• Do you want to …?

• Will you …?

• Have you …?

Open-ended questions encourage children to:

• use language. Instead of just answering ‘yes’ or ‘no' (answers to closed-ended questions), children need to give fuller answers that draw on a wider range of vocabulary. Hint: encourage children to use whole sentences when answering rather than just fragments or phrases.

• think about their answers and give details to reasonably answer the question.

• elaborate with details, express thoughts or offer an opinion

• be creative

• think of new ideas

• use imagination

• give more information

• problem-solve and use cognitive (intellectual) skills. Children must search for vocabulary and form sentences which conveys thoughts, opinions, ideas, etc. rather than simply answering “yes” or “no”

• build relationships. Children become more invested in the conversation when they have to actively engage in it with full sentences. They are able to relate something of meaning and respond to the person/people with whom they are communicating. In this way, open-ended questions be used to positively build and deepen relationships.

In contrast to open-ended questions, closed-ended questions limit answers to one or two words and don’t allow for extra information, opinions, thoughts or the expansion of ideas and concepts. Closed-ended questions (yes/no) do not require the child actively engage in the conversation as they can remain disassociated. They do not have to give an opinion, explain thoughts, offer ideas. In reality, the thinking behind answering closed-ended questions needn’t be in-depth or take any great effort.

When children are asked open-ended questions, it shows them that their opinions, ideas, thought, feelings, etc, matter. After all, if you didn’t want to know, you wouldn’t ask.

Therefore, asking open-ended questions says to a child that their contribution matters. You want to know what they think. You value their opinion. You are genuinely interested in their ideas. All of this goes to strengthening your child’s positive self-esteem and self-image, as well as strengthening your relationship with your child.

Great article about using open-ended questions with children at story time

http://storiesandchildren.com/open-ended-questions/

Great resource about using questions to support mathematical concepts with children

http://nrich.maths.org/2473