Question Detective

Why Question Detective works

Question Detective is designed to practice clear language, connected ideas, and responsive listening through a sequence that begins when the child is asked to ask one question with more than one possible answer. Solve a simple mystery by asking questions that actually reduce the number of possible answers. The opening action leads directly into the moment when the child is asked to use the answer to rule out some candidates.

Set up — Ask one question with more than one possible answer

No special materials are needed before the child is asked to ask one question with more than one possible answer. Keep the space simple enough that the child can move from ask one question with more than one possible answer to use the answer to rule out some candidates without rearranging everything. Keep topics comfortable and family-safe; nobody has to reveal private information while the child works through the first instruction to ask one question with more than one possible answer.

Step 2 — Use the answer to rule out some candidates

After completing the instruction to use the answer to rule out some candidates, pause and ask what changed from the earlier step where they had to ask one question with more than one possible answer. Use that answer to decide whether they are ready to ask a second question that targets a different feature.

Step 3 — Ask a second question that targets a different feature

Keep the adult prompt brief while the child tries to ask a second question that targets a different feature. If needed, return to the earlier step to use the answer to rule out some candidates before asking them to keep narrowing until only one or two possibilities remain.

Step 4 — Keep narrowing until only one or two possibilities remain

Keep the pace slow while the child tries to keep narrowing until only one or two possibilities remain. If the effect is hard to see, simplify that action before continuing with the instruction to make a final guess and explain which answer mattered most.

Step 5 — Make a final guess and explain which answer mattered most

Treat the attempt to make a final guess and explain which answer mattered most as a checkpoint between the earlier step to keep narrowing until only one or two possibilities remain and the coming step to make a final guess and explain which answer mattered most. A perfect answer is not required.

What to notice before Make a final guess and explain which answer…

Use the attempt to ask a second question that targets a different feature as the observation point. If the child understands why they are next asked to keep narrowing until only one or two possibilities remain, the final request to make a final guess and explain which answer mattered most should feel connected.

Make Ask a second question that targets a… easier or harder

A shorter version can finish after the child has tried to ask a second question that targets a different feature, using this support: use one familiar topic and shorter turns. An advanced version can continue to make a final guess and explain which answer mattered most after you change the audience, viewpoint, or language constraint.

Finish after Make a final guess and explain which answer…

Let the final request to make a final guess and explain which answer mattered most be the last check. If the child can show how it connects to the earlier request to ask a second question that targets a different feature, end there and choose the next activity through the activity search or activity generator.