Ask children what they did at school today, and sometimes you get a one-word answer: "Nothing." Not what you had in mind, is it? To encourage your child to tell you more, try asking your child specific questions such as:

Did your teacher read you a story today?

What did you do in school today that you especially liked?

What do you want to remember about school today?

What was the highlight of your day?

What was special about that person/event/situation?

What do you like best about your teacher/friend?

What is the value of that trait?

What are two or three things you are most pleased about?

What is the most important/most fun/most interesting thing about this?

What are you looking forward to doing tomorrow? Next week?

If these questions don’t draw your child out, try telling him or her about your day. Be a role model by opening up, and perhaps he or she will do the same for you.