20 Questions

Good Questions to Ask Kindergarteners

Engaging questions that help kindergarteners express themselves, build confidence, and develop communication skills while having fun.

1

What was the best part of your day today?

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Why this works

Encourages positive reflection and helps children focus on good experiences while building their vocabulary for expressing emotions.

2

If you could be any animal, which one would you choose and why?

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Why this works

Stimulates imagination and creativity while helping children practice reasoning and explanation skills.

3

What makes you feel happy?

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Why this works

Helps children identify and articulate their emotions while giving adults insight into what brings them joy.

4

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

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Why this works

Encourages creative thinking and helps children explore their desires and values through imaginative scenarios.

5

What's your favorite thing to do with your family?

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Why this works

Strengthens family bonds by encouraging children to reflect on positive family experiences and share them.

6

If you could have any food for dinner tonight, what would you pick?

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Why this works

Simple choice that helps children practice decision-making while being fun and relatable to their daily experience.

7

What's something you're really good at?

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Why this works

Builds self-esteem and confidence by encouraging children to recognize and share their strengths and abilities.

8

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

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Why this works

Expands their thinking beyond their immediate environment and encourages curiosity about the world.

9

What's your favorite book or story?

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Why this works

Promotes literacy interest and gives insight into their preferences while encouraging them to share about reading.

10

What do you want to be when you grow up?

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Why this works

Encourages future thinking and goal-setting while being age-appropriate and fun for young children.

11

What's something that made you laugh today?

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Why this works

Focuses on positive emotions and humor while helping children practice recalling and sharing experiences.

12

If you could have any pet, what would you choose?

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Why this works

Taps into their love for animals while encouraging them to think about responsibility and preferences.

13

What's your favorite color and why do you like it?

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Why this works

Simple preference question that helps children practice expressing opinions and reasoning.

14

What's something new you learned today?

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Why this works

Encourages reflection on learning and helps reinforce new knowledge while building their confidence in sharing.

15

If you could make up a new game, what would it be?

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Why this works

Stimulates creativity and imagination while encouraging them to think about rules and structure.

16

What's your favorite thing about school?

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Why this works

Helps identify positive aspects of their educational experience and encourages them to share about their learning environment.

17

If you could help someone today, what would you do?

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Why this works

Encourages empathy and kindness while helping children think about helping others and community.

18

What's something you want to learn how to do?

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Why this works

Encourages curiosity and goal-setting while helping them think about their interests and aspirations.

19

If you could have a magic wand, what would you wish for?

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Why this works

Opens up imaginative thinking while giving insight into their desires and values through their wishes.

20

What makes you feel proud of yourself?

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Why this works

Builds self-esteem and helps children recognize their accomplishments while encouraging positive self-reflection.

Connecting with Kindergarteners Through Questions

Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.

Best Practices

Keep Questions Simple and Concrete

Use age-appropriate language and avoid abstract concepts. Focus on their immediate experiences and interests.

Listen Actively and Show Interest

Give them your full attention, make eye contact, and respond enthusiastically to their answers to build confidence.

Encourage Elaboration

Ask follow-up questions like 'Tell me more about that' to help them develop their communication skills.

Question Sequences

The Daily Reflection Sequence

1
What was the best part of your day?
2
What made you laugh today?
3
What's something new you learned?
4
What made you feel proud?

The Imagination Sequence

1
If you could be any animal, which would you choose?
2
What superpower would you want?
3
If you had a magic wand, what would you wish for?
4
What new game would you create?

Common Pitfalls

Don't Ask Too Many Questions at Once

Give them time to answer one question before moving to the next. Overwhelming them can cause them to shut down.

Avoid Yes/No Questions

Ask open-ended questions that encourage them to share more details and practice their communication skills.

Don't Correct Their Grammar

Focus on their ideas and thoughts rather than perfect grammar. This encourages them to keep sharing.

Conversation Starters

The Connection Building Framework

1
Step 1: Start with something positive about their day
2
Step 2: Ask about their interests or favorites
3
Step 3: Encourage them to share something they're proud of
4
Step 4: End with an imaginative or creative question

Further Reading

"How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk" by Adele Faber
"The Whole-Brain Child" by Daniel J. Siegel
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) resources

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