If a kid has created something (on paper, in play-doh, in any medium at all…) here’s one question that you should NOT ask:

“What is it? It looks like a dinosaur.”

Focusing on “What is it?” boxes out tons of creative options. A 4-year old might have been trying to draw a bronto or she might have been putting down colors that she liked together. She might have been making a T-Rex in play-doh or she might have been focused on balancing the chunks on top of each other. But you won’t find out the real creative motivations if you focus only on “What is it?” Or even worse, you might “help” turn the play-doh into the T-Rex of YOUR imagination when the project HAD BEEN about balance. Instead of asking “What is it?” try using “Can you tell me about how you did this?” It leaves all creative directions open.

Source: My amazing sister Jamie who works with kids at Camp Galileo

Have you asked this question? How did it go? Do you have advice for how best to ask it? PLEASE RATE! AND WRITE A REVIEW (in the comment box below)!