TRANSCRIPT:
For South Carolina Public Radio, I'm Dr. Rénard Harris from the College of Charleston. This is Teachable Moments, a minute of education for students and parents.
Parents and teachers are all too familiar with the struggle of trying to spark meaningful conversations with kids. Questions like “How was your day?” or “Did you complete the assignment?” are usually met with blank stares or one-word answers. Those responses are discouraging for adults who are trying to connect.
Experts suggest asking open‑ended questions and giving kids your full attention. That means putting the phone down, avoiding multitasking and actively listening. When adults approach these moments with genuine curiosity and presence, kids are far more likely to open up. They might surprise you by turning that one-word answer into a full epic.
For the College of Charleston, I’m Dr. Rénard Harris.