Constant questioning

Donna Metler · Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 183

I KNOW questioning is developmentally appropriate for a 3 yr old, but my
daughter's questioning about things she already knows is definitely on my
last nerve. I get questions like "What's a trash can", "What's the cat's
name", and all sorts of things that she's known for years. I also get
"where's Daddy" if he steps out of the room for a second, "where's my X",
and the omnipresent "Why is the sky blue?" "Why are we going to the
store"...and it doesn't matter if I've answered that same question 5 minutes
before, or 20 times previously. I assume she's working on developing
conversational skills, and I don't mind NEW questions-but I mind being asked
"How many bumps does Draggy have" when we've counted those 20 bumps about 50
times.

Is there any way of controlling this behavior while not stifling the child's
inquisitiveness, or do I just have to grit my teeth and look forward to next
fall, when she starts Pre-K and at least she'll have someone else to answer
her questions some of the time?

Archived from group: misc>kids

Welches · Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 1455

"Donna Metler" wrote in message @comcast.com...
>I KNOW questioning is developmentally appropriate for a 3 yr old, but my
>daughter's questioning about things she already knows is definitely on my
>last nerve. I get questions like "What's a trash can", "What's the cat's
>name", and all sorts of things that she's known for years. I also get
>"where's Daddy" if he steps out of the room for a second, "where's my X",
>and the omnipresent "Why is the sky blue?" "Why are we going to the
>store"...and it doesn't matter if I've answered that same question 5
>minutes before, or 20 times previously. I assume she's working on
>developing conversational skills, and I don't mind NEW questions-but I mind
>being asked "How many bumps does Draggy have" when we've counted those 20
>bumps about 50 times.
>
> Is there any way of controlling this behavior while not stifling the
> child's inquisitiveness, or do I just have to grit my teeth and look
> forward to next fall, when she starts Pre-K and at least she'll have
> someone else to answer her questions some of the time?
Been there, done that!
#1 used to ask "what does "B U S S T O P P I N G" spell every time we got on
the bus.

#1 still tends to ask questions, she's naturally curious, and she wants the
real answer, not a made up one.

#2 asks the questions but isn't that interested in the answers now, it's
just conversation.

Debbie

Stephanie · Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 305

Donna Metler wrote:
> I KNOW questioning is developmentally appropriate for a 3 yr old, but
> my daughter's questioning about things she already knows is
> definitely on my last nerve. I get questions like "What's a trash
> can", "What's the cat's name", and all sorts of things that she's
> known for years. I also get "where's Daddy" if he steps out of the
> room for a second, "where's my X", and the omnipresent "Why is the
> sky blue?" "Why are we going to the store"...and it doesn't matter if
> I've answered that same question 5 minutes before, or 20 times
> previously. I assume she's working on developing conversational
> skills, and I don't mind NEW questions-but I mind being asked "How
> many bumps does Draggy have" when we've counted those 20 bumps about
> 50 times.
> Is there any way of controlling this behavior while not stifling the
> child's inquisitiveness, or do I just have to grit my teeth and look
> forward to next fall, when she starts Pre-K and at least she'll have
> someone else to answer her questions some of the time?

I wouldnt answer the questions but ask, what do you think? Why do you think
the sky is blue? ... See where the conversations go from there.

Sue · Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 2818

Perfectly normal. I would turn it around and ask them why they thought it
was or what they thought the answer was. If it was something I knew they
knew, I would just say, you know what that is.
--
Sue (mom to three girls)

"Donna Metler" wrote in message @comcast.com...
>I KNOW questioning is developmentally appropriate for a 3 yr old, but my
>daughter's questioning about things she already knows is definitely on my
>last nerve. I get questions like "What's a trash can", "What's the cat's
>name", and all sorts of things that she's known for years. I also get
>"where's Daddy" if he steps out of the room for a second, "where's my X",
>and the omnipresent "Why is the sky blue?" "Why are we going to the
>store"...and it doesn't matter if I've answered that same question 5
>minutes before, or 20 times previously. I assume she's working on
>developing conversational skills, and I don't mind NEW questions-but I mind
>being asked "How many bumps does Draggy have" when we've counted those 20
>bumps about 50 times.
>
> Is there any way of controlling this behavior while not stifling the
> child's inquisitiveness, or do I just have to grit my teeth and look
> forward to next fall, when she starts Pre-K and at least she'll have
> someone else to answer her questions some of the time?
>
>
>
>
>

Rosalie B. · Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 1547

"Donna Metler" wrote:

>I KNOW questioning is developmentally appropriate for a 3 yr old, but my
>daughter's questioning about things she already knows is definitely on my
>last nerve. I get questions like "What's a trash can", "What's the cat's
>name", and all sorts of things that she's known for years. I also get
>"where's Daddy" if he steps out of the room for a second, "where's my X",
>and the omnipresent "Why is the sky blue?" "Why are we going to the
>store"...and it doesn't matter if I've answered that same question 5 minutes
>before, or 20 times previously. I assume she's working on developing
>conversational skills, and I don't mind NEW questions-but I mind being asked
>"How many bumps does Draggy have" when we've counted those 20 bumps about 50
>times.
>
>Is there any way of controlling this behavior while not stifling the child's
>inquisitiveness, or do I just have to grit my teeth and look forward to next
>fall, when she starts Pre-K and at least she'll have someone else to answer
>her questions some of the time?
>
IMHO, this isn't just a child's inquisitiveness and you shouldn't just
grit your teeth. She's just talking, she's not asking real questions.
Don't feel that you will be a bad mommy if you don't answer every
question. You can encourage conversation (although it sounds like you
don't have to do much) without having to follow every gambit.

She has to learn how to talk without irritating people. So don't
answer the questions again and again. Ask her a question back.

For the bumps on Draggy, say You know that - how many bumps does
Draggy have? Can you count the bumps by yourself? (indulgent tone of
voice). Or how does Draggy feel about having bumps?

For the trash can - Laugh - What IS that?

Why the sky is blue? I don't know, ask Daddy. (a joke).

Or even - Mommy doesn't want to talk now. She needs to learn that
sometimes conversation is inappropriate (like when you are driving or
need to have your attention on the job at hand). It's all OK.

deja.blues · Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 24

"Rosalie B." wrote in message @4ax.com...
> Or even - Mommy doesn't want to talk now. She needs to learn that
> sometimes conversation is inappropriate (like when you are driving or
> need to have your attention on the job at hand). It's all OK.
>

I would say "My ears are tired!".

Penny Gaines · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 52

Donna Metler wrote:
> I KNOW questioning is developmentally appropriate for a 3 yr old, but my
> daughter's questioning about things she already knows is definitely on my
> last nerve. I get questions like "What's a trash can", "What's the cat's
> name", and all sorts of things that she's known for years. I also get
> "where's Daddy" if he steps out of the room for a second, "where's my X",
> and the omnipresent "Why is the sky blue?" "Why are we going to the
> store"...and it doesn't matter if I've answered that same question 5 minutes
> before, or 20 times previously. I assume she's working on developing
> conversational skills, and I don't mind NEW questions-but I mind being asked
> "How many bumps does Draggy have" when we've counted those 20 bumps about 50
> times.

[snip]

I'd sometimes give answers the kid knew was nonsense:

eg 'why is the sky blue' 'because its not pink' etc.

--
Penny Gaines
UK mum to three