How to Ask
Curious Questions
A Wonder Study Group
“It takes a village to raise a child”
African Proverb
Welcome to A Wonder Study Group: How to Ask Curious Questions. A space for reflecting on the language we use in our work with children as well as ourselves, and the world.
Every Wednesday evening at 6:30pm we gather via Zoom to share the questions and prompts in our classrooms, practices and homes. There is no obligation to share more than your comfortable, and we ask that you respect confidentiality by leaving out personal and identifying information of those you might work with.
We collectively consider the inner workings of the child and group mind and imagination.
This is a pay what you can offering as we understand the realities we are all currently living in. If some weeks you are unable to donate, perhaps give this a share to reach other educators and early childhood professionals who could benefit from the community.
PD Certificates available upon request
open-ended > closed-ended
Asking curious questions can allow us to see the world and our explorations through the lens or perspective of the student. We can begin to reconnect with our inner child whose eyes are wide with wonder for the world and the endless possibilities in it.
This approach can open our minds, our narratives and our practice.
What are open-ended and closed-ended questions?
Simply put, a closed-ended question can only be answered with a yes or no. Closed-ended questions leave little room for further discovery and interpretation which might be the foundation of all curiosity.
Open-ended questions leave space for learning and dialogue. In our work with children they encourage language and vocabulary development.
These types of questions often start with HOW and WHY.
Example of open-ended questions could look like:
What does it mean when...
Why does this feel...
Where might I...
Prompting with an open-ended question holds space in conversation for explanation.
