“Back to School: Start Smart!”

10 Questions to Ask Your Child About His/Her Day at School.

Whether your child is starting school for the first time or entering a new grade, get a sense of your child’s life at school by asking these 10 questions that elicit more than a one-word response.

The trick is to ask about things that are specific, but still open-ended. Move beyond “fine” and “nothing” by asking your child to describe his/her world. It’s also great to start the conversation with an anecdote from your own day. Try one of these conversation-starters:

1. Tell me about the best part of your day.
2. What was the hardest thing you had to do today?
3. Did any of your classmates do anything funny?
4. Tell me about what you read in class.
5. Who did you play with today? What did you play?
6. Do you think math (or any subject) is too easy or too hard?
7. What’s the biggest difference between this year and last year?
8. What rules are different at school than our rules at home? Do you think the school rules are fair?
9. Who did you sit with at lunch?
10. Can you show me something you learned (or did) today?

Put your child on track for school success by exploring these questions with them. Help to make this the best back-to-school season ever!
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” Kristin Rude is the Owner and Center Director of FasTracKids, Del Mar, established in 2007.  She started teaching Kindergarten in 1992.  Kristin last taught in the Del Mar Union School District.  She obtained her teaching credential from the University of San Diego and has her Masters degree in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis on second language learners.  When Kristin is not working, motherhood keeps her plenty busy with her 2 children, Connor, age 5 & Katherine, age 4.  It has been a truly rewarding experience watching her own children benefit from the FasTracKids program.  Spending time with her family, golfing, traveling, and continuously learning are among her favorite activities.”