According to the opinion of educational psychologist Polina Fursova, some common questions parents ask about kindergarten can negatively impact children's psycho-emotional state.
She notes that phrases like "Is anyone bothering you there?" or "Did anyone yell at you today in kindergarten?" can make a child feel that kindergarten is a potentially dangerous place.
“By regularly asking such questions, parents inadvertently create a sense in the child that kindergarten is a space where they can be hurt, and they themselves fear this,” explains Fursova.
According to her, such formulations can lead to a number of negative consequences. A child may start to notice only the negative aspects of their peers' behavior and even perceive ordinary play conflicts as manifestations of aggression. Additionally, toddlers aged 3-4, eager to please their parents, may invent stories to meet expectations.
It is also important to note that such questions can evoke feelings of anxiety in children, making them doubt the safety of their environment.
Instead, the psychologist recommends using open-ended questions that allow the child to share their impressions and experiences. For example, you can ask:
“What was the most interesting thing today?”
“Who did you play with?”
“What made you laugh today?”
“Was there anything you didn’t like?”
