You ask "How was your day?" and get silence, shrugs, or "I don't know." It's not defiance—it's neurology. Direct questions assume developmental capacities your child might not have yet. Here's what actually works, backed by research and field-tested with real kids.

Your child didn’t forget everything over the summer. They just haven’t had enough safe, supported chances to recall it. Here’s the science-backed truth about memory, school readiness, and why your calm—not cramming—is what actually helps.