Because an open-ended question involves much more than a "yes" or "no" answer, more words are going to be strung together in response. Rather than asking, "What is the weather today?" and looking out the window together waiting for an answer, ask, "Can you describe what the weather is doing today?" Now, instead of "rain," you’ll get something completely descriptive of what the rain looks like, what it’s doing, how it sounds, etc. If you find you’re still getting a short answer, think of some fun prompts to help expand their answer (try the five Ws and "how" questions). If open-ended questions are new for you and your child, it might take them some time to realize they can elaborate freely with this type of question.
