Mealtime Questions
Here's What To Do
1
While eating meals together as a family, or at other times of the day, ask each other questions.
2
Choose a simple question you can take turns asking each other, then answering. Encourage your young child to ask that question too.
3
Sample questions:
- “What was something fun you did today?”
- “Where did you go?”
- “What are you excited about this week?”
4
Put PEER Into Action
P
Pause:
- As a family, pause to smile at each other and say something kind to each other like, “It’s nice to be with you today.”
E
Engage:
- “Let’s ask each other about our day.”
- “What would we like to know? What should we ask then?”
E
Encourage:
- Help your child to ask the question by having a few family members ask the question first before it’s their turn to ask someone.
- Vary the complexity of the question depending on your child’s understanding and ability to ask the question. You can ask simple questions like “Where did you go?,” or more complex questions like “Why were you excited to ____?”
R
Reflect:
- “What should we ask next time?”
Not quite ready?
Ask the question, then have your child repeat it. It’s OK if they can only say one word or not ask it yet, they can turn to the family and use gestures.
Ready for more?
Encourage your child to come up with the question.
As your child masters this skill...
They will ask simple questions.