Every day at ICCC is filled with big adventures—building towers, painting masterpieces, making friends, solving problems, and discovering something new. When children come home, they carry all of those experiences with them… even if they don’t always have the words to explain them yet.

Talking to Your Toddler & Kindergartener About School

ICCC’s teacher Ms Irina Radeva, PhD, shares insights how parents can teach children to share about their day – not just at preschool, but for a long time to come.

If “How was your day?” is often met with “Good,” a giggle, or complete silence—you’re not alone! For young children, sharing about their day takes time, trust, and the feeling that someone truly wants to listen. Here are some gentle and meaningful ways to invite your child to share a little more about their day at school.

🧸 Pick a Cozy Moment

After a full day of learning and play, children need time to unwind. Some of the best conversations happen when there’s no rush and no pressure.

Try chatting:

• Over a snack
• During bath time
• On the way home
• At bedtime

These calm moments help children feel safe, relaxed, and open—making it easier for them to share what’s on their mind.

🗣️ Ask Questions That Spark Stories

Open-ended, caring questions help children know that their experiences matter and that their world is important to you.

For toddlers, simple questions work best:

• “Did you play today?”
• “Was it fun?”
• “Did you go outside?”

For kindergarten children, invite storytelling:

• “What made you smile today?”
• “Who did you play with?”
• “What was your favorite thing you did?”

There’s no right or wrong answer—every response is worth listening to and celebrating.

🎨 Use Clues From Their Day

Sometimes children need a little reminder to help their memories come back to life.

You could:

• Talk about their artwork or projects
• Look at photos or daily updates together
• Act out the day using toys or pretend play
• Ask about favorite routines like outdoor play, circle time, or story time

These gentle prompts show children that you’re curious about their world and that what happens at school truly matters.

💛 Talk About Feelings (Big and Small!)

Young children experience big emotions—happy, excited, proud, frustrated, and sometimes overwhelmed. When we help name those feelings, we help children understand them.

Try saying:

• “You look proud of that!”
• “That sounds really fun!”
• “That was tricky, wasn’t it?”

When children feel heard and understood, they learn that all feelings are okay and worth talking about.

👂 Listen, Stay Open, and Follow Their Lead

One of the most powerful things we can do is simply listen.

Whether your child shares a long story, a single word, or even just a sound or gesture—stay present. A smile, a nod, or a gentle “Tell me more” shows that you are available, interested, and ready to hear them whenever they’re ready to share.

Sometimes children don’t talk right away—but knowing that you are open and listening builds trust. When children feel believed in and valued, small moments often grow into meaningful conversations.

🌈 Share a Little About Your Day Too

Children love hearing about you! Sharing something simple shows them that talking about our day is something everyone does.

You might say:

• “I learned something new today.”
• “I felt happy when I talked to a friend.”
• “I had a busy day—just like you!”

This back-and-forth helps children feel connected and confident in sharing their own experiences.

🌱 Growing Connections Every Day

These everyday conversations do so much more than recap a school day. They build language, confidence, emotional awareness, and strong relationships. Most importantly, they tell children:

• I see you.
• I care about your world.
• What matters to you matters to me.

At ICCC, we value our partnership with families and believe that learning continues well beyond the classroom. By staying curious, listening closely, and remaining open and available, we support children across all early years stages—one conversation at a time. 💛