How to answer children's questions?

How to answer children's questions?

Mohammad Yousefi Chiraghi
Mohammad Yousefi Chiraghi
Karaj

How to answer children's questions?

What should we do if the child does not eat well?
  • "Why is the sky blue?"

  • "What does death mean?"

  • "Who is God?"

  • "Are you going to die too?"

  • And many other questions, some of which seem simple, but answering them can be difficult and even scary for a mother.

    In this article, we talk about how to face these questions, what to say and what not to say.

    📌 At the end of the article, we have provided a list of children's questions and common children's questions along with suggested answers and practical tips for different ages.

    Why do children ask so many questions?

    (investigating the root of children's curiosity and its importance in intellectual development)

    Children are naturally curious. Asking questions is one of their main tools to explore the world around them. From the very early years of life, their minds are engaged with many stimuli: sounds, colors, feelings, people and events. Meanwhile, children's questions act as a bridge between the outer and inner world.

    Children's curiosity is a growth tool. Child psychology research has shown that asking questions strengthens language skills, critical thinking and reasoning power in children. When a child asks, "Why is the sky blue?", his mind is involved in scientific, sensory and abstract concepts, even if he doesn't know.

    One of the mistakes that some parents make is suppressing this curiosity. Not answering, being bored, or mocking the child's question can make him stop searching for the truth and reduce his confidence in expressing his thoughts.

    Children's questions are a sign of healthy and active brain development. In fact, every question a child asks is a gateway to learning. So it is better for parents to understand these opportunities and use them for the correct education and intellectual development of their children instead of getting confused.

    When should we answer and when not?

    (Determine when to respond or delay response)

    One of the common challenges in dealing with children's questions is knowing when it is appropriate to respond. Not all questions require immediate answers. Sometimes, the time, spirit or subject conditions require that the answer be postponed or presented in another form.

    When a child asks a question, first of all, you should pay attention to his and your situation. If you are tired or the child is restless, it may not be helpful to respond in the moment. It is better to calmly say: "Very good question, let's talk about it when we get home."

    It is also necessary to determine whether the child is really looking for an answer or is simply playing with words or getting attention. Sometimes, children's questions are just to communicate, not to find out the truth.

    There are also situations when children's questions need more care; For example, when the child's question is raised in public and the subject is sensitive or private. In such a situation, it is better to say: "This question is very important, let's talk about it privately later."

    With this approach, you have respected children's questions and provided a more appropriate time and form to answer children's questions.

    How to understand the real meaning of the child?

    (What is hidden behind the child's question? From "death" to "where did I come from?")

    Behind many children's questions, a deeper feeling or concept is hidden than it seems. When a child asks, "What does death mean?", they may be concerned about losing a loved one, experiencing the death of a pet, or even hearing the word on television. This is where we should seek to understand the real meaning of the child before answering.

    To do this, the first step is to answer his question with another question: "Why did you ask that?" or "What made you think of this question?" This will show the child that his question is taken seriously and will help you understand his thinking better.

    Some questions, like "Where did I come from?" It doesn't necessarily mean asking about reproduction. The child may simply be curious about where he's been before, or why he's here now. If you go into complicated details for no reason, you may confuse or even worry the child.

    When dealing with children's questions, understanding the intention behind the question is more important than the answer itself. This skill is strengthened by practice and active listening. Pay attention to the child's emotions: the tone, facial expression and timing of the question can give you important information about what is going on in the child's mind.

    Answering in simple and understandable language for the child

    (Methods of explaining complex concepts with children's language)

    One of the greatest arts of parenting is to explain complex concepts to a child in simple language. When a child asks a question, he or she does not want to hear a scientific lecture or complex terms; He is looking for an understanding that is in harmony with his own mind and language.

    For example, when a child asks, "What is a cloud?", you don't need to go into the scientific details of air humidity and condensation. You can say: "Clouds are very, very small drops of water that gather together in the sky." This sentence is both accurate and child-friendly.

    Using visual examples, stories, and similes can help a child understand better. For example, when you talk about feelings, you can use the story of the cartoon characters he likes: "Do you remember what happened when so-and-so was sad? He gets sad like us sometimes."

    Children's questions are a good opportunity to practice this skill. If you see that the child still does not understand, without blaming him, ask him: "Did you understand what I said or do you have another question?" This sentence causes repetition and practice, and increases the child's confidence in talking to you.

    What things are wrong when answering?

    (such as being complicated, boring or giving wrong information)

    Inappropriate handling of children's questions can have long-term negative effects. Some behaviors, although unwanted, may prevent the child from asking or confuse his mind.

    The first common mistake is complexity. When you use big words, jargon, or long explanations, the child may not even ask, "What does that mean?" And just pretend to understand. This causes misunderstanding or fear of asking questions.

    Another mistake is being bored or giving a cursory answer. If the child repeatedly hears "not now", "let it go", or "kids don't ask this", he gradually learns that his questions are not important.

    Another important thing is providing false information. Many parents make up stories or say something untrue to avoid answering children's questions. For example, in response to "Where does the baby come from?" They may say: "The stork comes from the basket!" This will destroy the child's trust in you.

    In dealing with children's questions, honesty, kindness and simplicity should be observed at the same time. The child is not supposed to know everything right away, but he is supposed to learn that it is good to ask and parents are the safest source of answers.

    What should we do with children's "hard" or "sensitive" questions?

    (Death, birth, God, human body, sexual issues, lying, etc.)

    Some of the children's questions surprise the parents. Questions like "Why do people die?", "Where did I come from?", or "Where is God?" They are included in the category of "hard" or "sensitive" questions. Answering these questions requires mental, emotional and information preparation.

    First of all, keep calm. Your surprise or embarrassment can send the child the message that the question is wrong or dangerous. Take a deep breath and say: "This is a very important question, let's talk about it together."

    In these cases, you need to pay special attention to the child's age. For a 4-year-old child, death may mean a long sleep, while a 7-year-old child may understand death by not being or not going. Children's questions

    It is also better to use stories and examples. Regarding death, for example, say: "When someone's body stops working, it means they are dead. We can't talk to him anymore, but our good memories with him will always remain."

    If children's questions raise a topic such as sex, the answers should be honest, but age-appropriate. You don't have to tell all the details in one conversation. You can start with concepts like different bodies, body care and respect for privacy.

    In dealing with children's questions, one should answer their curiosity and keep them in a safe and welcoming environment.

    If I didn't know the answer to a question, what should I say?

    No mother knows everything, and that's perfectly normal. When a child asks a question and you don't know the answer, the most important thing is to be honest. Saying "I don't know, but I can find it for you" is not only weakness, but also a great model for learning and responsibility.

    The child should know that humans are always learning. This message strengthens his motivation to discover the answers. For example, if he asked: "Why does the blue fire burn?" And if you didn't know, say: "Interesting question!" Let's look for it together in a book or on the Internet."

    These opportunities create an educational relationship between you and your child. Also, when children's questions go beyond general information (for example, about space, biology, or philosophy), authoritative sources can come to your aid.

    If you deny not knowing or give an incorrect answer, the child may later face the reality and feel that you lied to him. As a result, his trust towards you decreases.

    So, not knowing is okay, but how you deal with children's questions is very important.

    How to support the child asking questions?

    (Enhancing curiosity without judging or suppressing)

    Building a curious mind starts at home. If you want your child to be an inquisitive and analytical person in the future, you must support him today. Children's questions are a treasure of opportunities for intellectual growth.

    Instead of "Don't ask too many questions", use sentences like "What a good question you asked!" use These simple sentences encourage the child to continue to be curious and make it clear to him that thinking and questioning are positive qualities.

    A good way to strengthen this sense is to participate in finding answers to children's questions. You can read a book together, watch a documentary or even go to a museum. These actions show the child that having questions is the beginning of learning.

    Be careful not to judge children's questions. Even if a question is weird, funny, or repetitive, it shows his mental process. There may be fear, interest or even imitation of the environment behind that question.

    Finally, the house in which the question is asked is a living, active and growing house.

    What is the role of the child's age in the type of answer?

    (Answering a 3-year-old child is different from a 7-year-old child)

    Answers to children's questions should be appropriate to their age and developmental stage. Children of different ages have different understanding of concepts and the teaching methods are also different for them.

    For example, a 3-year-old child does not yet have abstract understanding. If he asks: "Where did grandfather go?" And you say "gone in the sky", he might really think he's gone by plane. At this age, the answers should be concrete, short and accompanied by a sense of security.

    But a 7-year-old child has the ability to understand more complex concepts such as time, death or justice. At this age, you can use slightly more specialized words and even ask the child for his opinion.

    In general, as the child gets older, the answers can be more precise, detailed and analytical. But you should always be careful not to exceed the child's level of understanding.

    Knowing developmental characteristics will help you respond best to children's questions and respond to their mental and emotional needs.

    More Know:Why does my child have bad food? 6 hidden reasons that you may not have known until today

    The best reaction of parents to children's difficult questions

    (how to respond calmly, honestly and effectively)

    Handling children's difficult questions is one of the most important skills every parent should learn. When your child asks a question that makes you think or even bothers you, your initial reaction will determine whether or not the child will talk to you again.

    The first and best reaction is to keep calm. Even if the child's question is about concepts like death, sex, or religious beliefs, try not to look surprised, angry, or embarrassed. Responding with a smile or even saying “What a strange question! "Let me think" can keep the conversation open.

    The second step is being honest. Children sense lies or evasion very well. If you don't know the exact answer, it's better to say: "I don't know, but we can look for it together."

    Also, it should be noted that in response to children's questions, not all details must be told. Answers should be tailored to the child's age, level of understanding, and current needs. For example, instead of going into medical details, you can explain the concepts in metaphorical and child-friendly language.

    Finally, don't forget to be empathetic. Difficult questions often stem from anxiety, fear, or a new experience. Hugging the child or saying "I know this is an important question for you" can give him peace and a sense of security.

    Remember: What you do in response to children's questions will form the basis of your future conversations. Trust is built with these small reactions.

    Table: Children's common questions and answer guide

    ❓ Child's question 💬 Suggested answer (suitable for young age) Important note for mothers Where did I come from? "You grew in my stomach and then you were born with the help of a doctor." For children under 6 years old, avoid scientific explanation and simplify. What does death mean? "That means the body doesn't work anymore. "This happens when someone is very sick or old." Do not use words like "sleeping" or "going on a trip" so that the child does not have a fear of sleep or separation. Are you dying too, mom? "All people die one day, but I am healthy now and I am always by your side." The answer should be honest and give the child a sense of security. Who is God? "Some people believe that God is the one who created the world and takes care of everyone." Encourage the child to think and ask more questions, not to memorize the answer. How is a child born? "Children grow in the mother's womb and after nine months the doctor helps them come out." If the age of the child is older than 7 years, you can speak a little more scientifically and realistically. Why is that person homeless? "Maybe he doesn't have enough money or he has had some difficulties in his life." Answer with empathy, not judgment. Strengthen the sense of helping in the child. Why do mom and dad fight? "Sometimes people have differences, but they always love each other. Especially you." Be sure to emphasize that it is not the child's fault and maintain his emotional security. Why is my body different from others? "Everyone's body is different. This is very natural and beautiful." Avoid judgment and comparison and strengthen the sense of worth. Why are boys and girls different? "Bodies of girls and boys are different because they do different things. They are all good." Avoid sexism and give a scientific-simple answer. The age of the child is important. Why is the sky blue? "When sunlight hits the air, we see the sky as blue." If the child is interested, explain more later with a simple picture or video. Why is someone different from us? (skin, language, disability) "All people are different. The world is more beautiful with its differences." We build the foundations of respect for difference from these questions. Where does the water flow from? "Waters come from places such as rivers, springs and rain and make the earth fresh and full of life." Keep it simple and for older children you can talk about the water cycle. What does the sentence "we can't afford it" mean? "It means we don't have enough money to buy what we want and we have to wait or choose something else." Explain in childish and simple language that everything is not money and sometimes we have to be patient. Who do we live with after death? "When someone dies, they are no longer with us, but we can always have their memories in our hearts." Reassure the child that memories make someone always with us. Why can't I play all day? "Our body needs rest to stay strong and you can play tomorrow." Teach the child the importance of balance between play and rest. Why should I go to school? "School is where we can learn new things and make new friends." Emphasize the positive aspects of school and stimulate curiosity. How big is the world? "The world is very big, full of people, animals and different places. "Sometimes we have to travel to understand more." If the child is interested, you can show pictures or maps. Why do some people speak different languages? "Because people come from different parts of the world and everywhere has their own language." Introduce the differences to the child with respect and beauty. Why are some people not my friends? "Sometimes not everyone is friends, but it's important to be kind and always find good people." Teach the child that all people are different and friendship needs time. Summary Children's questions are countless and diverse, and each question is an opportunity for deeper communication and valuable learning. Answering these questions with patience, honesty and simple language helps the child's intellectual and emotional development and strengthens his trust in his parents and his surroundings. Although this table includes children's questions and common questions and suggested answers, there are certainly many more questions that every family faces according to the circumstances and needs of their child. It is important to always provide a safe and open space for questioning and answering and show the child that no question is unimportant. The latest content Orb paralysis; Symptoms, diagnosis and effective treatment methods Read more
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