Heart-to-Heart Talk

1. 1

   Sometimes a child seems to press pause after a question and does not answer for a minute or two.

2. 2

   First consider what kinds of language they currently understand—for example, questions about yesterday or tomorrow, multistep directions, or a character’s feelings in a story.

3. 3

   If the question is within reach but still gets no response, the topic may simply not be interesting. Shift toward something your child cares about.

4. 4

   Instead of “What made you happy today?” try a specific connection: “What did you and Maya play today?”

5. 5

   If an idea is imaginative or not quite accurate, listen to the whole thought before adding information and keep the conversation moving.

6. 6

   When your child runs over to share a discovery, face them and listen with genuine attention so speaking feels worthwhile.

What to notice

• Answers more readily when the topic interests them Attending and Understanding
• Expresses their understanding and preferences Sense of Identity and Belonging

Tips

• If your child is clearly losing interest, pause instead of continuing to ask questions. Switch to a topic they enjoy or return to the conversation later.

Developmental benefits

• Language: Beginning with a topic your child cares about and asking specific questions helps them understand information about who, when, why, and what happened.