Children
can learn many things through the exchange of
questions and it is equally important for both
parents and teachers to encourage this method
of learning. What needs to be done is to create
a suitable environment that motivates children
to learn through this method.
As education
providers, our goal is to develop learning interest
in children through direct experiences. This will
help children develop concepts and acquire skills
in using language effectively.
As a result, children
will increase maturity and independence, resulting
to the ability to make rational decisions. This
should never be taken for granted since it is
imperative for children to learn this positive
behavior.
Critical
thinking through asking questions is necessary
in a child-centered environment. When kids express
their own points of view, they are encouraged
to practice critical thinking.
The
values infused in this learning approach are cooperation
and support for collaboration. Children
ask questions out of curiosity, especially preschoolers.
However, they eventually learn later on that the
purpose of asking questions is to gain information
from other people.
Importance
of Questions and Answers
Teachers
and parents know a lot-this is how children perceive
them. Children trust adults and this is critical
to their learning curve.
It
is strongly advised that adults teach children
to respond to questions using non-verbal communication.
Children
build knowledge through a combination of skills
and applied knowledge, which they have gotten
from asking questions.
When
kids ask questions, they learn several things
like:
-
Looking at different angles of the problem.;
-
Trying other possible choices;
-
Segregating their own motives and targets;
-
Thinking of several ways to resolve issues;
-
Foreseeing results and find out if the outcomes
are favorable; and
-
Increasing self-esteem and individuality in approaching
problems
Teaching
Children How to Answer Questions Creatively
Adults
always give children tons of information-both
serious and trivial-in the many years that they
have exchanged conversations. Children are naturally
inquisitive on all things they observe, they want
answers that even adults cannot provide, which
can prove annoying at times.
It
may be possible that the answers are short and
then others are longer, depending on the inquiry.
Adults
can make suggestions to kids about several ways
of getting information other than verbal communication-like
a nod, headshake, and other physical languages.
It is not only adults who can learn doing this,
but also kids. What we can do, though, is not
to teach kids much of this behavior because this
may be perceived as rudeness.
A
common example is when the kid asks how the grass
grows. When he does this, you can actually show
him how to plant. This may be difficult in some
situations, but constant practice will let the
child know that his inquiry is being answered.
Kids are also naturally curious about how things
work and this can prove to be an efficient means
of learning.
Critical
thinking through asking questions is necessary
in a child-centered environment. When kids express
their own point of view, they are encouraged to
practice critical thinking.
Another
approach is to give out questions that will make
the child think of the answers to his own questions.
This is more difficult since kids may not have
fully developed logical functioning yet.
Simple
questions like "How do we resolve our problem
today?" will certainly bring out the best in him
and other kids. Be sure to have the answers with
you.
Activities
To Encourage Children's Questioning
Teachers
and parents have many ways to encourage kids to
ask questions. Below are activities that may be
prepared at home or in school.
1)
Use animals, plants, insects, and artifacts as
examples.
New
things will always make children curious. Ask
them to use the five senses and for sure, the
kids will explore new things. You will be amazed
at what the children may ask!
2)
Devise ways to expose the children to questions.
These
questions may be placed in walls. Be sure to stimulate
thinking through these and encourage discussion
about several things. Record the questions they
raise so you can figure out what it is.
3)
To boost the language skills of kids, reading
should be encouraged.
This
will surely expand the children's vocabulary.
Be sure to make reading a child's habit every
day and make this consistent.
4)
Use games as a learning methodology.
Kids
love playing games. Use games to ask questions.
This may be done with groups of six. All that
needs to be done is to have a child select anything.
The team should prepare 20 questions to find out
what the object is.
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