As soon as children start speaking, they have a lot of questions to ask. Sometimes, they ask so many questions that you may find it tedious to answer them in a go. But the truth is answering your child’s questions is very important. And the most open fact is that children use to learn from our answers. I believe children’s mind is full of curiosity, and sometimes they think out of the line and out of the box. In fact, most of the time, their questions unveil their power of understanding things even better than grown-up folks. Sometimes, we elders avoid listening or answering our child’s queries, trust me if you do so, you are hurting your child and hindering their growth. Unanswered questions lead them to think in their own way, which can go south. So, being a parent, you have to be honest, alert, and know how to answer your child’s questions?
Tips To Cope With While Answering Your Child’s Question
Even when children do not know how to speak, they ask many core questions many times each day. They have many questions in their mind, which are unknown to us due to the absence of language.
1. Be Honest, Instead Of Giving Inaccurate Answers
If you do not know the answers to their questions, simply say that you do not know. If you are embarrassed or uncomfortable answering any of your child’s questions, do not give the wrong answer. Children learn that answer from you. Giving inaccurate information will only create confusion for them when they grow up. Do not avoid answering their questions. If you can’t answer immediately or it is not the appropriate place to talk, tell them that this is not the proper place or time to talk. Sometimes, it is surprising how many questions can be answered in a day, and how much information a little brain can acquire.
2. Let Them Brainstorm To Answer Your Questions
Always praise your children for asking good questions and give them your best answer. It will help them to grow their knowledge. Parents should also try asking questions to their children which will lead them to answer some of their own questions. You can include simple questions like “Do you know how this works?” You may be surprised by your child’s answers. This way, you will know how innovative your child is in thinking about the solutions.
3. Let Your Children Learn About Their World
Children sometimes ask very sophisticated questions about scientific topics like stars’ movement, the rising and setting of the sun, and wind. Their questions often reveal how children think so differently than we adults do. Parent-child conversations about scientific topics may be an important setting for children to learn about their world. Children will learn new information from this conversation. Brains of the young children are very sharp, so the things they learn in their childhood will always be set in their brains. This is not only an interesting fact that every bit of information is acquired, but also the historical sense of the little brain has also been improved. This habit of persistence in the search for knowledge has to be strengthened and encouraged by adults.
4. Never Feel Frustrated Or Irritated
Sometimes parents feel frustrated by their children’s unending queries. But you should relax and enjoy answering your child’s questions. When things go over your head, laugh and start the same over again. If you can laugh with your child while you are playing with them, so will your child.
5. Keep Your Answers As Simple
Keep your answers as simple as possible. Use simple explanations and avoid words that may become difficult for your children to understand. Remember to speak age-appropriate words. Also, make sure that children understand it. Ask them if they understand or simply ask, “Does that answer your question?”
6. Deal Smartly With Straightforward Questions
Children can ask straightforward questions out of curiosity like “Where do babies come from?” This question is ubiquitous among children in the age group of 4-5 years. Do not skip to answer this? This will develop curiosity in the children to know the answer if you do not answer it properly and wisely. Children’s spontaneous questions and comments show that they are very curious about figuring things out.
Children need to know whether their questions are valid and welcomed by their parents. The questions may not come all at once. Instead, they reflect a child’s individual progress in understanding a powerful experience. In a nutshell, answering your child’s questions is one of the most important tasks which you can’t think even to skip or avoid.
Also Read: Parenting is a difficult job, so try these positive parenting tips and see the changes.
