Ask questions to check for understanding. Students vary in their ability to explain themselves in writing and many struggle on typical classroom assessments. However, in one-on-one or small group situations, students are more comfortable and likely more able to display their comprehension when asked appropriate questions. These informal conversations provide a wealth of information about a student's grasp of essential concepts.
Solve problems through questioning. Whether it's a recess problem or a math problem, primary students need to be guided through the process of solving the problem by asking questions. Scaffolding your questions leads to solving the problem. For example, begin by asking, "What happened?" or "What's the problem?". You're likely to get a wealth of information, some of it true and some of it made up, but this information leads to your next question, "Why did it happen?" or "Why is that a problem?". Through this process you eventually arrive at the real issue and the business of solving the problem can begin.
Teach critical thinking skills through questioning. Posing open-ended questions requires students to think. Open-ended questions solicit information from the person being asked the question and require more than a one or two word response. For example, "What advice would you give to a new student at our school?" is an open-ended question because there is no one way to answer this question. Asking students hypothetical questions, where they have to put themselves in a given situation, also forces them to apply their knowledge, unconsciously cementing their understanding of learned material.