How to Ask an Open-Ended Question From the Preschoolers

Some preschoolers need teachers to coach them on how to answer open-ended questions.

Open-ended questions develop higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills. They require the responder to formulate thoughts based on some given information, and then be able to articulate those ideas verbally in the absence of absolutes. While some children are developmentally able to answer these types of questions at preschool age, others will need the skill taught explicitly using targeted-instructional strategies. Open-ended questions can be asked of preschoolers in every subject, but the skills are most often practiced in reading comprehension.

Instructions

1. Model the skill. Signal the preschoolers to have closed mouths, open ears and eyes on the teacher. Ask an open-ended question based on the topic or lesson being addressed, and think aloud your thought process and your answer to the question. The preschoolers need to witness the entire process - from hearing the question to considering it to answering it - in order to master the skill.

2. Practice with scaffolding. After the preschoolers watch you model how to answer open-ended questions, invite them to answer a different question with your support. Select a couple of students who are able to join you in thinking aloud about the question posed and how to answer it.

3. Check for understanding. Ask open-ended questions of a sampling of your preschoolers to determine if the skill was learned or needs re-teaching. For example, in a class of nine ask three or four of the kids questions. If the majority of your sample group can answer open-ended questions, the instruction was effective.

Tips & Warnings

• Monitor the preschoolers' understanding through facial expression and body language.

• You might need to repeat Step 1 2 to 3 times before moving on to Step 2.

• Generally, one or more students will get the skill after watching the teacher model it; enlist the help of those preschoolers for Step 2.

• If Step 3 isn't successful, the preschoolers have not mastered the skill. Continue to perform the steps, and they will improve over time.

• Even if your sampling of preschoolers are able to answer open-ended questions, check back with the other kids through informal or formal assessment to be sure everyone has learned the skill.

• Be realistic about the individual developmental level of your preschoolers. Don't expect kindergarten or first-grade answers from every preschooler.

References

• Developing Listening and Speaking Skills