What Do You Think?

Asking children open-ended questions builds inquiring minds.

Children are messy little scientists who love to explore the world in which they live. Through their discoveries, children learn many concepts that will give them a broader knowledge of their world and will enhance their abilities to be successful in school and in life. Asking the simple question “What do you think?” opens many doors for a young, growing scientist and helps them use their emerging ideas to “do their job” and explore the world with you.

As children explore and interact with adults and each other, they try to make sense of what they see and do. They develop theories about why things are the way they are, act the way they do, or relate to each other. As their experience broadens and their thinking deepens, their ideas and theories become more plausible and closer to current understandings in science.

An environment rich in exploration and discovery requires a search for answers, not just giving answers. “Let’s find out” is a powerful phrase! If you observe children in their play and discovery and really listen to what they say, your questions and comments will follow their interests. For example, if you see a child pick up a snail and study the bottom of the snail, ask the child “What do you see on the bottom of the snail?” or “What does the bottom feel like or the snail smell like?”, or “Why do you think that is so?” This will help the child make sense of what he or she sees.

Give children time to think and explore before asking questions. Children will often answer their own questions. The simple question “What do you think?” usually leads to more exploration and more questions.

What kinds of questions are best?

• Questions that follow children’s interests
• Questions that have many correct answers or each person has his own answer
• Questions that are genuine and lead to conversations

• “How would you describe…?”
• “What does it look/feel/smell/taste/sound like?”
• “How can we find out?”
• “Tell me about it?”
• “Why is it that way?”
• “What does it remind you of?”
• “In what ways are these alike or different?”
• “What can you tell me about it?"

• “What do you think?”
• “Why do you suppose that happened?”
• “How do you think that happens?”
• “What do you think is going on?”
• “What do you suppose would happen if we did (didn’t) do this?”
• “Is there anything else you could use?”
• “What are some different things you could try?”
• “Show me what you could do with it.”
• “Can you think of another way?”