Open Questions
CATEGORY: SOCIAL
LEVEL: FOUNDATIONS
Why:
We can learn how to ask Open Questions, which take the conversation deeper and create greater connection.
Warm-Up:
What was your best or worst moment in the past week?
Exploration:
Closed Questions are boring for the person receiving them. They ask for information that the person already knows, like "where will your birthday party be?" Open Questions are the opposite: they are surprising, taking the conversation deeper and creating connection, like "how do you think you've changed since your last birthday?" Try it out on each other: if each person shares a recent high or low in their life, the rest of the group can practice Closed vs Open questions in response. (Inspired by Parker Palmer)
Additional Resources:
This practice is inspired by Parker Palmer's profound writings and teachings on education, and his Center for Courage and Renewal offers several resources on this topic: