SETTING UP MEANINGFUL QUESTIONS

Two basic types of questions, i.e., fact-seeking questions and explanation-seeking questions, can be distinguished. Fact-seeking questions give us information concerning, for example where and when an event took place and who were the actors involved (who, where, when questions)

Explanation-seeking questions, in contrast, tell us why the event tool place and how some actions were carried out. Explanation-seeking questions are very closely related to understanding; we understand the event when we can explain why and how it happened.

Both types of questions are needed; factual information may provide a vivid and concrete picture of an event in question. However, because only explanatory question guide towards deepening understanding, it is very important to encourage children to ask explanation-seeking questions.