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Family Forum / Parenting / Parenting / February 2008Constant questioning
I KNOW questioning is developmentally appropriate for a 3 yr old, but my daughter's questioning about things she already knows is definitely on my last nerve. I get questions like "What's a trash can", "What's the cat's name", and all sorts of things that she's known for years. I also get "where's Daddy" if he steps out of the room for a second, "where's my X", and the omnipresent "Why is the sky blue?" "Why are we going to the store"...and it doesn't matter if I've answered that same question 5 minutes before, or 20 times previously. I assume she's working on developing conversational skills, and I don't mind NEW questions-but I mind being asked "How many bumps does Draggy have" when we've counted those 20 bumps about 50 times. Is there any way of controlling this behavior while not stifling the child's inquisitiveness, or do I just have to grit my teeth and look forward to next fall, when she starts Pre-K and at least she'll have someone else to answer her questions some of the time? >I KNOW questioning is developmentally appropriate for a 3 yr old, but my >daughter's questioning about things she already knows is definitely on my [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > forward to next fall, when she starts Pre-K and at least she'll have > someone else to answer her questions some of the time? Been there, done that! #1 used to ask "what does "B U S S T O P P I N G" spell every time we got on the bus. #1 still tends to ask questions, she's naturally curious, and she wants the real answer, not a made up one. #2 asks the questions but isn't that interested in the answers now, it's just conversation. Debbie > I KNOW questioning is developmentally appropriate for a 3 yr old, but > my daughter's questioning about things she already knows is [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > forward to next fall, when she starts Pre-K and at least she'll have > someone else to answer her questions some of the time? I wouldnt answer the questions but ask, what do you think? Why do you think the sky is blue? ... See where the conversations go from there. Perfectly normal. I would turn it around and ask them why they thought it was or what they thought the answer was. If it was something I knew they knew, I would just say, you know what that is.  SignatureSue (mom to three girls) >I KNOW questioning is developmentally appropriate for a 3 yr old, but my >daughter's questioning about things she already knows is definitely on my [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > forward to next fall, when she starts Pre-K and at least she'll have > someone else to answer her questions some of the time? > Perfectly normal. I would turn it around and ask them why they thought it > was or what they thought the answer was. If it was something I knew they > knew, I would just say, you know what that is. Yes, that's exactly how I handled it. Though there were times I would have to announce that mama didn't want to answer any questions right now but mostly I handled it the way Sue said. After having 3 kids, I STILL don't know why kids ask questions they already know the answer to! It's not like they are starved for attention lol Marie >I KNOW questioning is developmentally appropriate for a 3 yr old, but my >daughter's questioning about things she already knows is definitely on my [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] >fall, when she starts Pre-K and at least she'll have someone else to answer >her questions some of the time? IMHO, this isn't just a child's inquisitiveness and you shouldn't just grit your teeth. She's just talking, she's not asking real questions. Don't feel that you will be a bad mommy if you don't answer every question. You can encourage conversation (although it sounds like you don't have to do much) without having to follow every gambit. She has to learn how to talk without irritating people. So don't answer the questions again and again. Ask her a question back. For the bumps on Draggy, say You know that - how many bumps does Draggy have? Can you count the bumps by yourself? (indulgent tone of voice). Or how does Draggy feel about having bumps? For the trash can - Laugh - What IS that? Why the sky is blue? I don't know, ask Daddy. (a joke). Or even - Mommy doesn't want to talk now. She needs to learn that sometimes conversation is inappropriate (like when you are driving or need to have your attention on the job at hand). It's all OK. > Or even - Mommy doesn't want to talk now. She needs to learn that > sometimes conversation is inappropriate (like when you are driving or > need to have your attention on the job at hand). It's all OK. I would say "My ears are tired!". > I KNOW questioning is developmentally appropriate for a 3 yr old, but my > daughter's questioning about things she already knows is definitely on my [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > "How many bumps does Draggy have" when we've counted those 20 bumps about 50 > times. [snip] I'd sometimes give answers the kid knew was nonsense: eg 'why is the sky blue' 'because its not pink' etc. SignaturePenny Gaines UK mum to three |
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