6 ways to get your child talking at the dinner table

6 Ways to get your Child Talking at the Dinner Table

6 Sep

By Erika O. Cardamone, MS, CCC-SLP

How many conversations with your child start like this?:

 You: How was your day?
Child: Good.
You: Well that’s good. What did you do?
Child: Nothing.

Clearly, this was not the conversational spark that you were looking for. We ask our children these questions to become more apart of their lives; to understand them better. But what are the mind-blowing questions to ask to involve them in a complex verbal exchange of information, to cultivate curiosity, and enhance language skills?
Here are some uplifting questions to ask your kids at dinner, that will really spark the eye-opening conversation you were looking for:
1)  Best and Worst-  Ask your child What’s the best thing that happened today? and What’s the worst thing that happened today? It gives them a chance to be proud of themselves (e.g. “I got an A on my science test”) and also a chance to be humbled (e.g. “My team lost in gym class”). Be prepared to be amazed about how much your child will reveal with this simple question.
2) Money and Food- It can be comical how younger children conceptualize money. Ask How much money do you think the pasta cost? the tomatoes? or What’s the most/least expensive food on the table? For younger kids, teaching concepts of more/less is great language stimulation. For the older kids, maybe this is a good way to give them their first lesson in money, saving, and spending.
3) Favorite things on your plate- Have your child choose top three favorite foods and describe the taste and texture of each. Use descriptive words and adjectives (a great task for toddlers!) that expand your child’s vocabulary. Who knows, maybe someone else at the table can convince your child that brussels sprouts really are delicious!
4) What’s the grossest thing you’ve ever eaten?- Every child has had at least one bad experience with food. How did they react at that first taste of not-so-good something? What were their thoughts before tasting it? What would it take for them to try it again? or… What food would you wish didn’t exist? Some kids are notoriously dreading the vegetables. Others the protein! You may have an idea of your child’s picky eating habits, but choosing just ONE food that they could avoid forever? You might be surprised…
5)  What do you remember about last week’s dinner and conversation?- Helping to encourage good story-telling skills is a skill that promotes academic success. Have your child paint the picture and use details. Don’t be afraid to prompt them and ask “What else to you remember?” and “And then what?”
6) The Missing Person- Who do you wish was here at dinner now? Your child may choose a famous actor, singer, or athlete. Or maybe a cousin or grandparent. It’s always good to talk about the people you love and admire, so your children look for the same qualities in their hero/heroine.
What are some of your brave and daring quesitons that open the floodgates to table talk?
Erika Cardamone is a licensed speech-language pathologist, and founder of The Speechies. Follow her for more information and tips on how to help your child thrive.