Shifting Away From Asking What Are You Making To Children

Educators are encouraged to shift away from asking "What are you making?" in early childhood settings because it can limit children's creativity and self-expression. Instead, open-ended questions that invite deeper thinking and exploration are recommended.

Children’s play is not always about creating a tangible product—it’s about learning through exploration. Materials like blocks, paint, and clay help children experiment with properties, relationships, and cause-and-effect, often processing their own experiences. Asking “What are you making?” too soon can:

Disrupt their thought process
Imply there should be an end result
Shift focus from internal motivation to external approval
Create self-doubt if they weren't making something specific

The real value lies in the process, not the product. When children freely explore without the pressure of producing something recognizable, they build confidence, sustained focus, and deeper understanding.

Why This Shift Matters

Encourages Process Over Product: Focusing on the process rather than the final outcome fosters creativity and problem-solving.
Supports Critical Thinking: Asking questions like "Tell me about what you're working on" allows children to reflect on their choices.
Respects Individual Expression: Children may not have a clear end goal, and open-ended questions validate their exploration.

Alternative Questions to Ask

Here are alternative ways to engage children in conversation without focusing on the outcome:

Encouraging Exploration

"Tell me about what you're working on!" – Invites children to share their thoughts without pressure.
"What do you notice happening?" – Encourages observation and curiosity.
"How does that feel/look/sound?" – Helps children engage their senses.

Supporting Problem-Solving

"What do you think will happen next?" – Encourages prediction and critical thinking.
"How could we try this differently?" – Promotes experimentation.
"What do you think worked well?" – Encourages reflection.

Fostering Creativity & Expression

"What inspired you to do this?" – Helps children connect ideas.
"What do you like about this?" – Encourages self-expression.
"How would you describe this to someone else?" – Builds communication skills.