Now that school is back in session, you and your student probably have developed a regular afternoon or evening routine that goes something like this… You: “How was your day?” Your Student: “Good,” or “I don't remember.” But you want to know more, right? You really want to know what happened during the school day, at lunch, and on the bus ride, and how you can support your child. In the article 3 Words That Reframe, “How Was Your Day?,” the author reminds us to make space for conversation that acknowledges the ups and downs that we all may experience throughout the day.

Here are three tips to help you make space for an after-school conversation with your child:

1. Remind your child that days aren’t all “good” or all “bad.” Every day has ups and downs, and all of us—children and adults—experience a variety of feelings over the course of a day. Children sometimes feel unsure about how and when to share difficult emotions. Try modeling this expression for your children by sharing the ups and downs of your own day.
2. Make room for meaningful sharing. Instead of simply asking “How was your day?” which may prompt a single-word answer, restate the request to get a full response. For instance, try “Tell me about your day.” Asking your child to tell you about their day invites them to share and normalizes the expression of happy moments, mistakes or missteps, and challenges or upsets.
3. Ask your child additional questions to expand on their responses. Asking follow-up questions expresses interest in what your child is saying. Try, “That’s interesting! Can you tell me more about that?” or “Really? How did that make you feel?

Find more great advice and resources from PBS Kids for Parents, and watch for the “Caring for our Students and Families” feature each month in GCPS Links.