Kids and Questions

Kids like to ask questions, don’t they? (Or is it just my daughter?!)

My young daughter is starting to ask a lot of questions. Not just any questions, though. I’m accustomed to the barrage of questions about what she can have to eat, where we are going today, what we are doing this weekend, what she was like as a baby, all the “why” questions, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc.

I have noticed recently, though, a new development in her questioning. I can tell that her brain is processing more complex concepts. As a result, she is asking far more thoughtful questions than even a few months ago.

Her questions are sometimes sparked by books we’re reading together—Bible stories or classic children’s literature or just silly kids’ books. At other times, her questions are sparked by music I have playing in the car or at home. Still other questions arise from the movies we allow her to watch.

“Is that character angry?”

“Who told the puppies not to dig that hole under the fence?”

“Why did Jesus have to die?”

“What happened to Frosty the Snowman?”

“Why is Jesus King?”

What I love about her questions, and questions in general, is that they naturally open up conversation.

One such conversation arose a couple of weeks ago after my daughter saw Frozen II. She asked several questions about the meaning of the plot and character development. Like most mainstream media, Frozen II has elements of truth, beauty and goodness mixed with a variety of other worldviews. I took her Frozen II questions much like I want to view all of her questions---as an opportunity to point her to God, His will, and His ways, and give her responses that present Truth no matter what the subject matter may be. I also want to have questions of my own to ask that drive conversations toward Truth.

I recently came across “Five Conversations to Have with Your Kids After Seeing Frozen II” and found it helpful. This article offers great questions that we as parents can ask our children (if they’re not already asking them!) to draw out Truth. Questions like “What is the nature of God?” and “Do we follow our hearts?” and “Do we have everything we need inside of ourselves?” If your child has seen or will see Frozen II, make sure to check out that article.

While some families may want to avoid the secular themes and varied worldviews presented in mainstream media, the deeper matter still remains: Asking and answering questions with our children is crucial to our relationships and their development.

Jesus promised his disciples in John 16:13, "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come." I've always found rest and reassurance in this verse about the Holy Spirit. I am even more grateful for this promise as a parent. It’s a fun and adventurous journey helping our kids see God all around them, and we have the help of God's Spirit every step of the way!