If you’re blessed like me to have an energetic 5-year-old in your life, I don’t have to tell you that there are days when I wonder if my child is ever NOT talking. From age 2 until about 8, kids seem to dominate most conversations that they’re a part of. A piece of it, I’m sure, is that communication is independence. As they learn new and different words to express themselves, their confidence swells, and they become who they are to be. It’s a beautiful thing to witness, really.

Read 10 Things To Say To Your Child Every Single Day

I’ll be honest, though. As charming as Ayva’s nonstop chatting can be, there are times when Mama just needs quiet! It’s easy to zone out and let her just keep talking and talking. And talking. As Ayva gets older, though, the art of communication will be a useful tool. Being able to hold her own in conversations about various topics will be critical later in life, so I’m putting more effort into helping her to build that skill now.

We’re starting to do focused conversations that start with an engaging question that will help Ayva to practice thoughtful expression. At the same time, these questions are encouraging creativity, and helping me to engage in a more meaningful and thoughtful way with my baby girl. Feel free to use these conversation starters with your own kids!

Engaging Conversation Starters For Good Talks With Little Kids

-Who is your best friend? What do you like about them?

-Who do you talk to the most? What do you all talk about?

-Tell me about your teachers.

-Who do you know that’s really funny? What makes them funny?

-If you were having a party and could only invite 3 people, who would it be and why?

-If you were a superhero, what would your super powers be?

-What’s your favorite thing to do when it rains?

-If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

-What kind of animal would you be if you were an animal?

-What do you want to be when you grow up? Why?

-Tell me about a time when you were extremely happy.

-Do you think animals understand when humans talk? Why or why not?

-If you were an author, what would you write a book about?

-What if you could create your own world. What would it look like?

-What do you think goes on in the house when we’re not at home? (May have to prompt, “do toys come to life?”, etc.)

-Tell me about your special talent.

-What do you think life will be like when you’re a teenager? What sort of things will you do?

-If you were a mom, what would you do different than me?

-What do you think I’d be like if I were a kid like you?