Answering Children’s Questions

_Elsa_

“I read online just the other day about children who ask those why questions,” says Misty. “It’s just a phase that they go through. Let me look on my phone to see if I can find you a simple answer to explain this phase.” 

It doesn’t take Misty too long to find a good article to explain this phase.

‘Young children have a lot of questions. Questions are children’s way of understanding the world around them. Questions provide opportunities for parents to explain the What, Why, When, How, and Who of the world to their children. And children’s questions give us, the adults in their lives, a window into their view of the world, and a hint about what they are most ready to learn about at that moment. So — we want children asking lots of questions! 

Children turn to their caregivers – parents, family, and teachers, to explain the things that they do not know. It is very important that parents and teachers take the time to listen to the question and honestly answer the question in the most age-appropriate way. It is the easiest way to help your child develop a deeper understanding of the world around him. Provide a short, understandable answer to questions.

When parents or teachers answer questions with, “because I said so”, it does not help the child. It provides no information. The child is asking the question because she genuinely wants to know the answer. Take the time to provide her with the answer! If you don’t know why, say “You know, that’s a good question, I don’t have the answer”. Maybe you can search and find the answer together!

When a parent does not answer a child’s question, it sends the message to the child that his question is not important. If you are too busy at that particular moment to answer, tell your child that. You could say, “right now I’m busy, but can we talk about that later?” And then DO IT! Remind the child of the question and talk about it when you do have time!’ (Source) 

“Does this make sense to you?” asks Misty. “Now I’ll try to explain to Adam why the sun has so many different colors.” 

‘Light refracts, or bends, when it passes from one medium to another. Every colour of sunlight has a different wavelength. When sunlight passes through a prism, the light separates into its constituent colours with the shorter wavelengths refracting at greater angles than the longer wavelengths. Since violet light has the shortest wavelength, it bends the most; red light has the longest wavelength, so it bends the least.’ (Source)

Adam looks at Misty with a look like, huh what are you talking about? Perhaps that’s too much depth for a little boy. Misty has to think of another way to explain this to him.

Let’s continue - What is sunrise and sunset? 

Start at the beginning – Misty offers some information on sunrise and sunset

__________

Start at the beginning of the main story – Why … But WHY?

__________