Student-generated questions: An exploration of an instructional strategy with young children

Abstract

Student-generated questions enhance deeper learning and empower active participation and critical thinking. Researchers have extensively explored teacher questions, but a notable gap persists in how to teach young children to ask questions effectively. This mixed-methods pilot study examined the impact of teaching questioning skills using the Question Formulation Technique (QFT) in an early childhood summer program for children from under-resourced areas. Pre-post oral language assessment scores from 33 children were analyzed to determine the impact of the QFT. Results reveal that using this method, teachers can effectively guide young students to ask more and better questions. Students involved in the research exhibited a substantial increase in the number of questions posed. They demonstrated a qualitative improvement in their approach to questioning, significantly increasing the number of wonderment questions (high-level questions). Conclusions indicate that using the QFT in early childhood classrooms can encourage young children to generate questions. Based on these findings, the authors conclude that teaching learners to ask meaningful questions can enhance their engagement, comprehension, and overall academic performance in diverse populations.