Top 8 Common Questions Kids Ask That Parents Find Difficult to Answer, and the Most Scientific Ways to Respond

Tell your child: It's usually due to bacteria. Tiny bacteria find their way into our bodies through the air we breathe, the food we eat, or when we touch our mouth or eyes without washing our hands. Most bacteria don't affect us, but sometimes our bodies can't fight them off, which makes us sick. Occasionally, people get sick because their bodies are not working properly, but don't worry—you won’t get sick like that. These days, most illnesses can be treated with rest and medication, so don't worry too much if you happen to get sick. Just remember to keep clean and wash your hands to avoid getting sick.

It's important to know: It's crucial to distinguish between common illnesses like a cold or flu and serious diseases like lung cancer. "Children should be told that they will get better", says Darshak Sanghavi, M.D., author of *A Map of the Child: A Pediatrician's Tour of the Body*. He believes that "Explaining these serious diseases to children is unnecessary until they are older. The common illnesses children face can easily be treated." When your child asks this question, take the opportunity to talk about healthy habits like washing hands, using a personal towel, brushing teeth regularly, etc., to prevent getting sick.

Tell your child: People can feel something so strong that they need to express it. When you are happy, you might jump up and down or shout excitedly, but adults have more complex emotions. When adults are truly happy, they might also feel a little sad. Sometimes, adults cry because of this mix of emotions.

It's important to know: When you cry from happiness, it’s often because something feels so sweet, like when your child graduates from preschool (you’re so proud, but your child has grown so fast!). "Children don't experience these complex emotions yet, and they will be curious," Dr. Sanghavi says. Use this opportunity to encourage your children to express their feelings with words. Emphasize that crying is okay, but make sure they understand what made them cry. "Understanding their own emotions helps children empathize better with others," he adds. So, tell your child that if they see you cry, they should ask, 'Is mom happy or sad?'

Tell your child: Your body needs rest after a long day of running around, and your brain needs rest too. When you play, learn, and explore so many new things, you get really tired. It's even more exhausting than the work that mom and dad do every day. That's why you need more time to rest. If you go to bed early, your body will stay healthy, and your mind will be clearer and smarter the next morning.

It's important to know: Contrary to popular belief, our brains don’t "grow" when we sleep. However, scientists believe that rest is vital for our body's physical development. Dr. Sanghavi notes that if children sleep less than 10 hours at night, they tend to be more irritable, and their ability to learn decreases.

Tell your child: Deciding how to spend money and how much to spend is up to adults. It's possible that your friend's parents chose to spend more money on toys for them. You might feel a little jealous, but having more toys doesn't make a family happier or better, right?

It's important to know: Think of this question as an opportunity to have a conversation with your child about money: Where does money come from and how is it earned? How does your family spend, save, and share money? says Sharon Lechter, founder of payyourfamilyfirst.com, an organization dedicated to improving financial literacy. "Explain to your child that everything has a cost, and tell them what your family has to pay for each day," she advises. Talk to your child about the difference between wants and needs, and for older children, explain that they can earn money themselves, for example, by washing the neighbor's car.

Nói với bé: Vì nếu con không mời, bạn ấy sẽ rất buồn. Mà bố mẹ muốn rằng con tử tế với tất cả mọi người. Có thể bạn ấy khác con, con và bạn ấy không có nhiều điểm chung, nhưng con vẫn nên mời bạn ấy đến, không nên tách bạn ấy ra khỏi bữa tiệc sinh nhật con. Con không cần phải kết thân với bạn ấy, nhưng hãy tưởng tượng xem con sẽ cảm thấy thế nào nếu bạn ấy cũng tổ chức tiệc, mời tất cả mọi người trong lớp và trừ con ra?

Bạn cần biết rằng: Trẻ em có thể hình thành các nhóm nhỏ và "tẩy chay" các bạn khác ngay từ khi chúng đi học mẫu giáo. Tuy nhiên, can thiệp và ngăn cấm hành vi này có thể sẽ phản tác dụng với trẻ, Michele Borba, Ed.D., Tác giả cuốn The Big Book of Parenting Solutions cho biết. "Nếu bạn có thể dạy con của bạn khi còn nhỏ về việc tập cảm nhận cảm xúc của người khác và suy nghĩ về cách sẽ giúp đỡ họ, bạn sẽ giúp con bạn không những không dễ bị bắt nạt, mà còn có thể ngăn cản người bạn của chúng trở nên xấu tính", cô nói thêm.

Nói với bé: Khoảng 65 triệu năm trước, một hành tinh khổng lồ đã va chạm với Trái đất và thay đổi mọi thứ trên Trái đất. Những con khủng long đã không thể thích ứng với sự thay đổi này và cuối cùng đã chết hết. Sau đó, những con vật mới xuất hiện. Cơ thể chúng phù hợp hơn để có thể sống với sự thay đổi mà việc va chạm giữa hai hành tinh đã tạo ra.

Bạn cần biết rằng: "Khủng long là bằng chứng sống động nhất của việc thế giới đã từng khác biệt như thế nào, điều này khiến cho trí tưởng tượng của trẻ nhỏ được phát triển", theo Matthew T. Carrano, Tiến sỹ nghiên cứu khủng long học tại Bảo tàng lịch sử thiên nhiên quốc gia tại Washingtin, D.C. "Khủng long thường sẽ lôi kéo trẻ em đến các khái niệm khoa học", ông nói, vì vậy hãy tận dụng cơ hội này để nói với trẻ về môi trường hay sự tiến hóa. Ví dụ, hãy giải thích về hóa thạch khủng long và cho trẻ em biết rằng chúng chính là tổ tiên của những con gà, con chim bồ câu, thậm chí là con đà điểu ngày nay.

Tell your child: Thousands of years ago, people from different parts of the world developed their own languages to describe their lives. That’s why today, people in the same region speak the same language, but others do not. Language also changes over time. If you could go back to our country 500 years ago, you’d find it hard to understand what our ancestors were saying, even though it was still Vietnamese.

It’s important to know: Hearing someone speak a foreign language can make children feel isolated or even frightened. "But if we help children understand different cultures early on, they’ll be better at making new friends," says Jillian Cavanaugh, Ph.D., an anthropology and archaeology professor at Brooklyn College, New York. Tell your child that foreigners may also think our language sounds strange, and point out that some words your child uses come from other languages, like 'TV' (from English).

Tell your child: I’m happy you noticed him. There are many reasons why someone might be homeless. He could have just lost his job or be too sick to care for himself. Either way, we need to respect him. We should also offer help to homeless people when we can, such as by donating to charity or giving away warm clothes.

It’s important to know: "Children often have a limited understanding, and they think that everyone’s life is the same as theirs," says Brenda Nixon, author of The Birth to Five Book. They need to understand the truth, but you can also tell them, "He might feel very sad because he is homeless." "Children often express surprise," Nixon adds, so take this opportunity to think together about ways you and they can help homeless people.