When children go to school, a sort of strange magic happens. You see them leave and welcome them when they return, but what happened in between is a mystery. Who did they talk to? What did they do? What did they learn? Talking to your child about what took place when they were at school is, of course, an important part of being an involved parent. It lets you know about new friends. It helps you identify hidden passions or new interests. It lets you know if they’re being bullied and need help. But actually getting a child to say something besides “fine” or ‘okay’ can be difficult. Breaking through is possible, and it means switching up the same old playbook. And it starts with recognizing that you and your child are on the same team and fighting a shared enemy: silence.

3 Tricks For Getting A Child To Open Up About Their Day

Start Early: Establishing a family tradition of talking about the day builds communications habits in kids.

Be Silly: Kids can be disarmed by an off-the-wall question that makes them laugh or gives them a chance to correct their parents.

Be Sly: Asking for advice on a situation that mirrors the child’s can encourage the child to open up.