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Why All the Whys?

Why All the Whys?

July 7, 2022

Asking “Why?” is an important, but frustrating, phase of development.

Why Now?

Your child is starting to understand cause and effect, and realizes that there are reasons for why almost everything happens. They want to know why!

  • Asking “Why?” is an important skill that helps your child learn about how things work and why things happen. Answers to your child’s questions give them a greater understanding of how the world works.
  • Asking “Why?” keeps you (the caregiver) paying attention. It brings you into the conversation and gets you thinking.
  • Asking “Why?” teaches the “give-and-take” of conversation. “Why?” questions allow your child can keep the talking going.

How To Answer the “Whys?”

  • Don’t always rush in with an answer.
  • Allow your child to think about the question themselves
  • Ask the question back, “Why do you think?”
  • Encourage your child to share their own ideas.
  • Respond simply and with short answers.
  • You’ll lose your child’s attention if your answer is too long.
  • Don’t fall back answers like “that’s just the way it is.”
  • Ask your child to think about possibilities.
  • Help them to think about things differently.
  • When you’re not sure of the answer, try asking for your child’s help.
  • Teach your child how to have fun finding answers.
  • Use the internet together to search for answers.
  • Talk about people you know who might know the answer.
  • Write down questions so you don’t forget and let your child see you write things down so they know you take their questions seriously.
  • Ask your child to remember their question and remind you to get the answer as soon as possible.

Content created in partnership with

Seedlings Group

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