Their idea may be clear to them, but they haven’t yet learned how to give you the supporting details that make it clear to someone else.
In earlier posts, I’ve explained what support is and why it matters. This post focuses on helping children ages 5 to 7 add details, experiences and reasons when they share their stories, ideas and opinions. If your child is younger, you can also read how to help children ages 3 to 4.
At this age, children can begin to give more precise information than they did when they were younger. They can also learn to support what they say with a personal experience or something someone else has told them.
For example:
“I really like going to the park! Can we go there again? I went there with Grandma, and I went down the twisty slide. She pushed me high on the swings, too. It was a lot of fun!”
The child has shared a previous experience and included several details that help explain why they want to return.
Show them what adding details sounds like
One way to encourage more detailed responses is to give your child examples in everyday conversation.
After a birthday party, you might say:
You had a good time at the party yesterday, didn’t you? You got to play with your friends in the swimming pool, eat your favourite pizza and bring home a goody bag!”
This gives your child a model that goes beyond “I had fun.” You’re showing them which details help someone else picture the experience.
Turn reasons into a game
You could also make giving reasons a friendly challenge. If your child suggests going to the beach instead of the park, ask:
“Can you tell me two things that make the beach a better choice?”
After they answer, add a reason of your own:
“The beach is bigger than the park, so there’s more room to play. Can you think of another reason?”
Keep taking turns. This gives your child practice explaining an opinion without making the conversation feel like a test.
Help them draw on personal experiences
Details are one way to support an idea. Children can also use something they’ve experienced before.
Suppose your family is deciding whether to go to a movie or a flea market. Your child might say:
“I think we should go to a movie. The flea market was fun, but there was a LOT of walking, and it’s hot today.”
Or, when discussing a gift for Grandma:
“She really liked the plant we gave her last time. I think we should get her another one.”
In both cases, the child is connecting a past experience to a new suggestion. They’re beginning to explain why they think something is a good idea.
When children recall what they’ve done and learned, their ideas become more specific. They also practise making connections between different parts of their lives and thinking about what their listener needs to know.
Keep the conversation going
Children ages 5 to 7 can begin to understand that the details they share help others follow their thoughts. This takes practice. Simple questions such as “Why?”, “What do you mean?” and “How come?” can invite them to say a little more.
Try asking with curiosity, then give them time to think. The goal is to help your child discover that their experiences and reasons can make their stories, opinions and suggestions clearer to others.
For more ideas, read Sheena’s earlier post about helping children support what they say.
