Discuss the importance of using open questions

Discuss the importance of using open- ended questions.

Open ended questions are questions that need thought and should be more than a one word answer. Answers are usually a few sentences. For example asking a child “do you like the picture?” which requires a closed ended answer and if you ask the question differently you will get an open-ended answer such as “tell me what you like about the picture?” An open- ended question provides language development to a child, this is very important as a parent or childcare worker to encourage a child to develop ideas and express their feelings and the importance of listening. When you are asking a child open ended questions they get to open up their imagination and build communication skills also. A child will feel valued and respected while been asked questions where they get to tell you their ideas.
"The practitioner has the opportunity to learn extensive amounts about how the child sees the world, their level of cognitive development, schemas, community and self-esteem (to name but a few!). The child may learn things such as social interaction techniques, how to think creatively, cause and effect and factual information” Kathy Brodie -http://www.kathybrodie.com/viewpoint/sustained-shared-thinking-important/ie (2009) date accessed: 28/10/14
When working with children it’s very important to interact more by asking open ended questions encouraging them to creative thinking and problem solving skills.

Closed- ended questions are usually answered in one word or a very short sentence. They give you a quick answer to a question and do not give much detail; it just gives you the facts. It can give a child the impression that you’re not interested much and this discourages the child to interact and make connections with either the parent or teacher.
“Closed ended questions call for one word answers, although useful in some situations (“do you have a bus pass”) they are not intended to promote conversation or self-discovery” Guiding children’s social development and learning. Author: M.Kostelnik 2012 date accessed: 29/10/14)
Helping to create an imagination for a child is an important factor also the development of language and to build confidence. Open ended questions should be used where possible.

There are many advantages of open ended questions helping to develop vocabulary intellect, imagination confidence and social interaction. Open ended questions helps the healthy learning of a child and the thinking and forming sentences and opinions. Children will love to feel confident and like to talk about there picture there drawing or a story there listening too. A child will have enjoyment from you asking open ended questions and this will encourage the child to communicate more and say what there thinking, as no answer is ever wrong.