Question Words
Understand and use question words (who, what, where, when, why, how) to form and answer questions
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Teaching Table · Reviewed guide
Set out your lesson
“Question words signal that we are asking, not telling. Who is a person, what is a thing or event, where is a place, when is a time, why is a reason, and how is a way or manner.”
Bring to the table
- Ready question-word cards: who, what, where, when, why, how
- One familiar toy, photo, or short home scene to talk about
Full guide and materials
- Ready question-word cards: who, what, where, when, why, how
- One familiar toy, photo, or short home scene to talk about
- Step 1. Lay out the six question-word cards and say what kind of answer each one expects.
- Step 2. You ask “Where is the ball?” and have your child answer with a place.
- Step 3. Your child draws a card and asks you a real question about the toy or photo using that word.
- Step 4. Switch roles for who, what, and why (or how), keeping answers short and matched to the word.
- Quick check. Success means your child asks or answers at least four different question words correctly, with answers that match the word type.
Worked example. Who → “Dad.” What → “a red ball.” Where → “under the chair.” When → “after lunch.” Why → “because it rolled.” How → “with two hands.”
Optional challenge. Your child asks a why or how question and judges whether your answer actually fits that question word.
What to notice. Save a parent note listing four question–answer pairs, such as “where → under the chair; why → because it rolled.”
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Teaching approaches
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1 approach
Question words signal that we are asking, not telling. Who is a person, what is a thing or event, where is a place, when is a time, why is a reason, and how is a way or manner.
Spend about 10 minutes matching question words to answers and asking three real questions about one familiar scene.
Family records and proof options
Keep a record of your learning
Save photos, notes, and attendance. Export a proof packet for compliance or portfolio reviews.
Learning resources
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Check understanding
- Ask questions using appropriate question words
- Answer who, what, where, when questions about familiar topics
- Recognise that question words signal a question is being asked
“If your child wants to find out something — like where you put their shoes or why the sky is blue — can they start their question with the right word, like "where" or "why"?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Language
- Subject
- English
- Domain
- Grammar & Punctuation
- Age range
- Ages 5–6
Standards