Preschooler Questions

1. Can we play doctor? this morning? after I'm done my oatmeal?
2. Is there juice in my cup?
3. Can you take Duck Duck away from her?
4. You said I can because it's not hurting anybody, right?
5. Where is my vitamin?
6. Who put my vitamin there?
7. Can I have gum today?
8. Mama, hey, can you sit beside me?
9. Mama, can you put tea in my cup?
10. And then I can have milk?
11. Can you smell my minty gum?
12. If I stop chewing, can you?
13. A bagel is in the toaster? bread? hot?
14. You said I CAN'T have a piece?
15. Where is Ozzie? Where IS he?
16. Mommy could I have a hug?
17. And then I can get some more?
18. You know what I said?
19. Why does he bump, bump, bump coming downstairs?
20. Can I have a brownie after lunch?
21. Mommy, can I still touch him?
22. Can I say goodnight to him?
23. Now it's my turn?
24. Can you save my oatmeal in the refrigerator for lunch?
25. Are you ready for the music?
26. Can you be the patient?
27. Just one more time?
28. Can we play Mommy Doctor?
29. Can I read the book too?
30. What is that [sound]?
31. Is it ok if she has that?
32. Mama, where's my special pink one? Where is it?! It's in the drawer? Where you're standing?
33. Hey! Do you want to play doctor?
34. I'm the doctor? Do it two times, okay? One time?
35. How about we measure, is that a good idea?
36. Can you do my hair?
37. Now what do I do, Mom?
38. Can I push the button?
39. Can I watch another one?
40. What are you doing?
41. Are you feeding Ozzie? Can you stop?
42. What are these?
43. Why?
44. Why is the grass green?
45. Is it on the sidewalk so we can't go on it?
46. What was that?
47. Does it make my hands itchy?
48. Are we going the long way?
49. Did that mess up my hair?
50. Why is it called shaving cream?
51. Mom, can we stay messy until Daddy gets home? Why?
52. Well can I?
53. Did we skip our naps?
54. Is it still morning time?
55. Why do you like yellow?
56. Did you see that?!

I attempted to write down most of my preschooler's questions yesterday. I failed. This is what I got for the first half of the day. I did not include demands or statements that required answers.

Things I noticed:

• She seems to make more statements (I want more. I need help. Let's play. Watch me! etc.) than ask questions. Although I couldn't keep up with them, I was actually surprised by how few questions there were!
• Not a single "please" in any of those questions! Clearly, we have not emphasized manners. That was somewhat of a conscious decision, and now I kind of regret it.
• Many questions were asking for permission. I am trying to adopt more Montessori routines which would hopefully cut down on those types of questions because she would be able to help herself (examples: dishes and snacks and cleaning supplies on her level for her use anytime)
• She often already knew the answer to the question she was asking. So why ask it?! To practice conversation? To connect? To make sure that I knew too? Probably all of the above.