When your child stumbles over open-ended questions, especially in subjects like history or literature, it can be frustrating for both of you.

But the truth is, the problem often begins before they even try to answer.

Many kids struggle not because they don’t know the material or have poor writing skills... They struggle because they don’t fully understand what the question is asking or the text they’re working with.

If your child doesn’t know how to answer an open response question, they might feel overwhelmed or lost before even getting started. Let’s break this down and explore how you—and their tutor—can help.

The Real Challenge: Understanding the Text and the Question

Open-ended questions often ask students to explain ideas or cite evidence from a text. However, many children find this overwhelming because they may not have fully understood the text in the first place.

This can happen when:

• They skip essential reading strategies, like previewing the text or identifying unfamiliar vocabulary.

• They overlook textual features such as images, captions, maps, or charts that provide valuable context.

• They rush through reading for completion instead of understanding.

For example, in a history question like, “How did the events of the Boston Tea Party demonstrate resistance to British rule?” a student might struggle because they didn’t slow down to analyze the main ideas or supporting details in the passage.

The good news? These skills can be learned—and consistently practiced.

A Game-Changing Strategy: Reading with “Pause and Think”

One of the most effective tools I teach is the Pause and Think technique:

1. Stop and Summarize: After reading a section, pause to summarize key details. Ask, “What did I just learn?”

2. Check for Understanding: Reflect on whether you’re truly understanding the material or just rushing to finish.

3. Use Textual Features: Pay attention to images, maps, and captions to deepen comprehension.

This technique helps children stay engaged and catch any gaps in understanding before moving on.The Real Challenge: Understanding the Text and the Question

Consistent Practice Builds Confidence

In my tutoring sessions, I integrate these reading strategies into every passage we tackle. By embedding these habits, students begin to use them automatically.

For example, a parent recently shared that their child’s teacher noticed a significant improvement in their reading habits. The child was taking their time, asking questions about unfamiliar terms, and engaging more thoughtfully with the material.

How Parents Can Support This Skill at Home

Parents play a key role in reinforcing these habits. Here’s how you can help:

• Encourage "Pause and Think": Ask your child to pause during reading and summarize key details aloud.

• Practice Together: Use books or articles to model strategies like identifying unfamiliar words or examining captions and images.

• Review Lesson Notes: If your child works with a tutor, use the detailed session notes to guide practice at home.

Final Thoughts

Answering open-ended questions isn’t just about writing—it’s about understanding the material deeply enough to explain it. Knowing how to answer an open response question successfully starts with mastering reading strategies like Pause and Think, building vocabulary, and breaking tasks into smaller steps.

By focusing on these skills, your child can develop the confidence and tools to tackle even the most challenging questions.

What strategies do you use to help your child or students with open-ended questions? Share your thoughts in the comments in Linkedin @ Demitra Bryant M.Ed.—I’d love to hear from you!

Ready to help your child succeed? Let’s start the conversation—ask me anything!