Big Questions

Big Questions are the ones that don’t have an easy answer. They are often open and difficult; they may even be unanswerable or there may be more than one answer. The aim is to encourage deep and long conversations, rather than finding easy answers.

These questions encourage children to offer theories, work collaboratively, use reason and think critically. A good Big Question will connect more than one subject area: “What is an insect?” for instance, does not touch as many different subjects as “What would happen to Earth if all insects disappeared?”

Big Questions should be ones that encourage research, debate and critical thinking. Big Questions aren’t just about getting the ‘right’ answers, but about learning the methods and skills needed to find the answers.

Why do we ask Big Questions?

• To encourage children to think beyond the obvious.
• To encourage children to think of as many possibilities as they can, before deciding upon the best or most appropriate answer.
• To increase their understanding of a topic
• To encourage children to articulate their thoughts

We have Big Question sessions regularly with the children at St Mary’s.

Examples of the questions we ask are:

Do we have to earn love?

Where is God now?

What makes a house a home?

What is sin?

Can any good come from loss and death?

Should resurrection be an option for all humans?

Please take some time to discuss these with your child, sharing their thoughts and ideas.