Asking Better Questions and Helping Kids Think, Not Just Write
Instead of treating AI as a shortcut, students use it as a thinking partner that strengthens curiosity, reflection, and independence. Tools like Attuned2Write can model this process—helping students practise inquiry in a structured, accessible way.
Where Things Get Stuck
Many students struggle to begin researching or writing because they haven’t learned how to ask meaningful questions. Without this skill, they often produce shallow answers, copy information directly, or avoid tasks altogether. Without a clear sense of what they’re trying to discover, their writing feels disconnected and superficial. What looks like disinterest is often a sign that students don't know how to start thinking more deeply.
What the Research Says
Teaching children to generate their own questions improves comprehension, reasoning, and metacognition (King, 1994). Students who are taught how to question become more engaged learners, take ownership of their ideas, and build resilience when facing new topics. AI prompts can model this process—helping students practise inquiry in a structured, accessible way. Instead of treating AI as a shortcut, students use it as a thinking partner that strengthens curiosity, reflection, and independence.
What to Try Instead:
Use AI to model open vs closed questions: Showing examples of open and closed questions helps students understand how different types of inquiry shape their learning and thinking pathways.
Let students rate or improve Attuned2Write AI-generated questions: Critiquing or refining AI’s questions builds critical thinking and empowers students to own their inquiry process.
Pair Attuned2Write AI prompts with visual question-building templates: Templates reduce cognitive load, supporting students in structuring and extending their own ideas.
Use AI as a co-thinker, not just a writing shortcut: Treating AI as a thinking partner strengthens curiosity first and builds a stronger foundation for independent, connected writing.
Practical Strategies for Parents, Educators, and Therapists
This handout is designed to help individuals recognise, respond to, and develop deeper critical thinking skills through writing—supported by emotional scaffolding, structured strategies, collaboration, and AI-enhanced tools.
Inquiry is the foundation of deeper learning. Shifting towards curiosity-led thinking builds students’ confidence, independence, and ability to connect deeply with their ideas.
Parents
Encourage curiosity by asking, "What do you wonder?" before exploring answers.
Use Attuned2Write together to model asking thoughtful, open-ended questions.
Praise and celebrate deep, meaningful questions over quick answers.
Educators
Integrate question stems into daily classroom routines.
Celebrate creative, deeper thinking during discussions.
Co-create research questions using Attuned2Write as a modelling tool.
Therapists
Teach Tier 2 and Tier 3 questioning skills using visual scaffolds and examples.
Use Attuned2Write to sort, refine, and rate sample questions during therapy sessions.
Support task planning with tactile or visual questioning games to reduce pressure.
Get To Know The Author
Brooke is a speech pathologist and co-founder of The Attuned Spot—an initiative that integrates speech and occupational therapy to support the writing process. Brooke co-creates practical, evidence-based tools that build writing, regulation, and language skills across home, school, and therapy environments.
Reference
King, A. (1994). Guiding knowledge construction in the classroom: Effects of teaching children how to question and how to explain. American Educational Research Journal, 31(2), 338–368.