If you are planning to work with children or teach abroad, there are so many jobs available.
Although most require you to enjoy being around children, and have some experience, there is usually no set formal training for improving relationships and for how to get to know the children you are working with.
If you like the idea of working in childcare, popular positions can include summer camp jobs, teaching English in Asia, being a nanny or au pair, working at ski resorts or coaching sports. A lot of volunteering abroad programs are also with children, which can be really rewarding, if this type of experience appeals to you.
Kids need engagement to stay focused and happy, and if you are working with them you need to always think of good questions to start conversations.
A simple question like, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” seems like it might not offer too much insight, but if you continue to encourage a discussion about the topic, you might be surprised as to what you can learn.
These conversation starters can even help develop characteristics that are important for child to possess, such as gratitude, imagination, empathy, and confidence.
You might even make a little game out of it—print out the questions, cut them up so they’re on individual strips of paper and have them pick out a question or two to discuss. This is really great for improving kid’s speaking skills!
Asking specific questions about child’s dreams, emotions, and values can also give you great insight into the individual that they are growing.
Here are some conversation starters perfect for getting to know children better. So wwtehr you are in need of inspiration for ESL games, are trying to integrate into an au pair family, these questions can help you to get to know children on a deeper level and also boost their knowledge of English:
- What is your favourite part of the day?
- Who did you play with at school?
- How were you kind to someone today?
- What are you proud of?
- What are you thankful for?
- What’s one good thing you’re really good at?
- Who is the nicest person you know?
- Which relative do you love seeing the most?
- What are you looking forward to this month/week?
- How would you change the world when you grow up?
- What could your family do that would make the world better?
- What superpower would you like to have?
- If you could only keep one toy, which toy would it be?
- Pretend you could be the teacher. What rules would you have in the classroom?
- If you could be an animal, which one would you be?
- Would you rather be at the pool or the beach?
- If we spent time alone, what would you want to do / or where would you want to go?
- Let’s say you could be any age. What age would you be?
- If you could be any cartoon character, who would you be?
- How does a good friend act?
- What do you think makes a family close?
- What makes you feel happy?
- How do you cheer yourself up when you feel bad?
- What’s your favourite book?
- What’s your favourite meal?
- What do you like best about your parents?
- What’s your favourite thing to do as a family?
- What’s your favourite thing about mom and dad?
- What do you like best about school?
- What’s your favourite holiday of the year?
- What’s your favourite room in your home?
- Who is your best friend and why?
- What’s your most embarrassing moment?
- If you could make three family rules, what would they be?
- What do you like best about your siblings?
- If you wrote a book, what would it be about?
- If your pets could talk, what would they say?
- What colour is the happiest colour? What makes it happy?
- If you won $100, what would you do with it?
- If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?
- What feeling do you think is most uncomfortable? Embarrassment, anger, fear, or something else?
- Where would you like to live someday? A house in the country, an apartment in the city, on a farm, in a mansion, in an RV that travels around, or somewhere else?
Questions and conversation starters should be natural, not an interrogation. If you rapidly fire questions at child, they’ll be more likely to shut down.
Spend time talking about their thoughts and ideas and show that you’re interested in hearing what they have to say.
Children will also appreciate your conversation starters when they realise that you are trying your best to get along.
If you are keen to work with children, view our jobs abroad.