Nursery World - You don't say

Children will put you on the spot with awkward questions. The best answer, writes Jennie Lindon, is to be prepared. One important way that young children learn is through conversation, and that includes asking adults an exhausting number of questions. You'll know the answer to many questions, and you may experience great pleasure in telling and showing children how the sun makes the puddles disappear. Some questions, like 'So how does the yeasty stuff make our dough get big?' can be enjoyable opportunities to explore with children, along the lines of 'I'm not really sure; let's see if we can find out.'

One important way that young children learn is through conversation, and that includes asking adults an exhausting number of questions. You'll know the answer to many questions, and you may experience great pleasure in telling and showing children how the sun makes the puddles disappear. Some questions, like 'So how does the yeasty stuff make our dough get big?' can be enjoyable opportunities to explore with children, along the lines of 'I'm not really sure; let's see if we can find out.'

You probably feel happy enough about replying to 'Where do potatoes come from?' But do you start to squirm if the question is, 'Where do babies come from?' and the even more pointed 'How do they get into the mummy's tummy then?' There will be a number of questions that may make you feel uncomfortable and perhaps at a loss as to how to reply.

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