Throughout this blog you’ll find many discussions about the power and importance of using reflective questions with children. Of course, knowing why something is vital is much different than knowing how to implement it. Therefore, below is a list of some reflective questions worth memorizing. To make it easier, I’ve categorized the questions so you can see which situations they work best in. I suggest everyone memorize these questions. As you practice using reflective questions and try out new ones on your children or students, add them to your own list.
For Getting On Task
- Does what you are doing help you get your work done?
- If you would like to get your work done, what would be your first step?
- What do you like to do that you can apply to this task?
For Commitment
- In the realm of all things possible, could you have kept your commitment?
- What are you going to do to make it happen?
- On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rank your commitment to it?
For Improving Quality
- How does that look to you?
- What would you like to have improved even more?
- If there were no limitations on what you did, what would allow you to do it even better?
For Reducing Complaining
- How long are you going to continue this?
- Is what you are doing helping you get what you want?
- What do you notice about the experience you are having?
For Starting Conversations
- What was most pleasing for you today?
- What bothered you the most today?
- What was your biggest challenge today? How did you deal with it?
- If the situation came up again, what would you do?
Magic Questions
- Are you angry at me or at the situation?
- What would an extraordinary person do in this situation?
- Are you willing to try something different if it would help you?
Remember, the best answer a teacher or parent can give is often a good question.
