If you want to learn what children are thinking when they assemble a colors, you have to ask the right questions. Not just any question will do. Open-ended inquiry encourages high-level thinking because there are many possible responses (Lee, 2010). Asking OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS is one of the best ways to enhance children's curiosity and guide them through a learning process without telling them what to do. The answers children give reveal what they are feeling, thinking, and comprehending on a topic. With these types of questions, parents and educators delve deeper into children's thoughts and ideas, guiding them to the next steps for learning by introducing more complex activities or experiments. Here are 14 open-ended questions about colors:
1. What do you know about colors?
2. What do you think/notice about colors?
3. How do colors help us/make things interesting?
4. How do you know which color that is?
5. How can you tell the difference between this color and that color?
6. What is your favorite/least favorite color? Why?
7. How do you think colors are made?
8. What do you think you can use to make color?
9. What else can you use to make color?
10. How would you find/create a color that matches this one/your skin?
11. Why do you think there are so many different colors in the world?
12. How do you make a color got lighter/darker/brighter/duller/redder/greener/etc.?
13. How can you sort/match/organize these according to their color?
14. What would happen if you tried to take a color out?
Author of: The BIG Book of Open-Ended Questions to Intentionally Support Young Children in Learning: Topics for Preschool thru 1st Grade Buy Now!
Angela Russ-Ayon is a mom-preneur, children’s author, interactive trainer on the subject of early childhood, and award-winning artist/producer of music for young children. She presents educational strategies to child care providers, parents, and teachers nationwide for AEYCs, R & Rs, and the like. She is a member of the Recording Academy and is the sole owner of Russ InVision Records. For more information on Angela, her workshops, keynotes, and accomplishments, you are welcome to visit www.abridgeclub.com. © 2021, Russ InVision. All rights reserved.
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Lee, Y. (2010). Blended teacher supports for promoting open-ended questioning in pre-k science activities. (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). University of Virginia, USA.