The Power of “I Wonder”: A Simple Way to Encourage Children’s Curiosity

Many parents have experienced this moment.
You ask your child how their day was.

Parent: “How was school today?”
Child: “Fine.”

Conversation over.

It’s not that children don’t want to talk. Often, it’s simply that the way we ask questions can unintentionally feel like we’re asking them to recite what they did, which may come across like another cognitive task after an already draining day at school.

For some children, that can feel a little confronting. It can feel like a test rather than an invitation to share.

A small shift in how we frame questions can make a big difference.

One simple technique used in early years education is the “I wonder” question. Instead of asking direct questions, adults frame their curiosity out loud.

For example:

Instead of asking: “What did you do today?”

You might say: “I wonder what you enjoyed learning today?” Or “I wonder what you had for lunch today?”

The phrase “I wonder” changes the tone of the interaction. It signals curiosity rather than expectation.

Rather than asking children to produce an answer, it invites them into a shared moment of reflection.

Why “I Wonder” Works:

The “I wonder” approach taps into something children naturally have in abundance: curiosity.

It slows the pace of conversation and creates space for children to think about their experiences rather than simply reporting them. It also shifts the role of the adult from questioner to curious partner in exploration.

Instead of feeling evaluated, children feel invited to explore their thoughts and feelings.

Over time, these kinds of conversations help children develop important skills such as:

👉emotional awareness
👉reflective thinking
👉language for describing their experiences
And sometimes the most powerful part of the technique is its simplicity.

It only takes two words: “I wonder…”

Why not give it a try today?