Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.'s)

How can I ask more interesting questions?

A really easy way to generate an interesting question is to think of one that doesn’t have a right or wrong answer but instead leads to a range of possible responses. eg. If you were looking at the Picture Magic photograph of the seagull with his wings spread you might ask “I wonder where he was yesterday?”. No-one really knows the answer but it generates lots of interesting ideas and allows all children to safely express their ideas. To further extend the thinking you might then ask “I wonder where he’ll be tomorrow or in a year from now?”

What if the children don’t say anything?

Ask yourself…

Do I allow the children enough time? (Remember that children need time to develop their thinking)

Who’s doing the talking and who’s asking the questions? (Remember that the more we talk the less the children talk. Practice being quiet and enjoy the silence.)

You might then try… modelling your own thinking out loud. I’m wondering how…?

Can I use any sort of photograph?

Please No! Think carefully about what you offer children. Not just any old thing will do. The Picture Magic photographs have been carefully chosen to…