We thought we would share some great questions that help build conversations about school at home. It was interesting when I searched this topic online. I strongly believe children get one short block of time to be a child and build fun memories of their childhood. When you look at it, that really only equates to 10 years; from about 4yrs to 14years. Prior to that they don’t really remember a lot (without adult or photographic prompting) and after that peer pressure has a greater influence on one's decisions. For those short 10years we want our children to be having fun! We as adults and kaitiaki of our ākonga can have private discussions regarding concerns we might have, but with our children I feel is it better to find and focus on the positive things happening in their life.

With this in mind my internet searching was guided by these beliefs. So here are some questions I felt met my philosophy - of nurturing and promoting having fun as a child.

Key points:
- Sharing something about yourself can get your child to open up.
- Positively phrased questions
- Find natural moments to talk - like at dinner or when driving in the car, when you are not in a rush.

Some question examples:
What did you do today that made you feel proud?
Did you do anything that made your teacher say ‘well done’?
Who made you laugh the most? / What did you do today that made you laugh?
Did you help anyone out in the playground?
Where’s the best place to hang out at playtime?
What would make tomorrow more fun than today?
Did you do anything new today?
What did you do today that made your brain work really hard?

Ngā mihi
Jeanette Neal

Kairuruku Tautoko Akoranga
Learning Support Co-ordinator