WH Questions for Kids: Speech Therapy Guide & Examples
A four-year-old stares blankly when asked, “What did you eat for lunch?” The same child who chatters nonstop about dinosaurs suddenly goes quiet when faced with simple questions.
Many children struggle with WH questions – those basic “who,” “what,” “when,” “where,” and “why” questions that seem so simple to adults.
For kids with speech delays or language challenges, these questions can feel like puzzles with missing pieces.
WH questions aren’t just classroom exercises. They’re the building blocks of everyday conversations.
When a child can’t answer “Where did you put your backpack?” or “Who helped you today?”, it affects their ability to connect with others and express their needs.
This guide breaks down WH questions into manageable steps. Parents and therapists will find practical strategies, real-world examples, and simple activities that make learning feel like play.
Every child deserves to share their thoughts and stories with confidence.
What are WH Questions?
WH questions are simple, everyday questions that begin with words like “who,” “what,” “when,” “where,” “why,” and “how.”
These words help children gather information about people, things, time, places, reasons, and methods, making them vital for developing a child’s understanding and ability to express thoughts clearly.
By asking and answering WH questions, kids learn to describe their world and interact meaningfully.
Children typically begin to understand basic WH questions, such as “what” and “where,” around age two, while more complex ones, like “why” and “how,” develop closer to ages three to four.
Encouraging WH questions fosters strong language and thinking skills, supporting overall growth in communication.
Why are WH Questions Important in Speech Therapy?
WH questions play a crucial role in developing strong communication and critical thinking skills in children. They help kids understand, express, and connect ideas more clearly in everyday life.
- Connection to Language Skills:
WH questions boost listening and comprehension, keep conversations flowing naturally, and encourage kids to think more deeply and make connections. - Therapy Goals:
Speech therapists use WH questions to help children expand their vocabulary, practice forming complete sentences, and grasp the context of stories or discussions. - Examples of Real-Life Benefits:
Answering WH questions helps kids tell better stories, interact confidently with friends, and follow lessons or instructions easily in school settings.
Mastering WH questions builds confidence and lays a solid foundation for effective communication in every aspect of life.
When and How to Introduce WH Questions
Introducing WH questions should match a child’s language milestones. Generally, toddlers around age two can answer simple “what” and “where” questions, while “who” and “when” follow soon after.
More abstract questions, such as “why” and “how,” often develop between the ages of three and four.
To help children naturally grasp WH questions, parents and caregivers can weave them into playful moments, storytime, and everyday routines.
For example, ask “Where is your teddy?” during play or “Why is the boy sad?” when reading a book together. Keeping questions fun and relevant to what the child sees or does each day helps build understanding without putting pressure on them.
Repeating and modeling answers also support confident, clear responses over time.
Types of WH Questions Explained with Examples
Each WH question type builds understanding and language skills. Use these ready examples to practice naturally with kids.
Who Questions
“Who” questions help kids learn about people and their roles.
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Who is your best friend? My best friend is Sam.
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Who plays with you at school? Mia plays with me.
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Who makes your lunch? Mommy makes my lunch.
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Who drives you to school? Daddy drives me.
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Who is your teacher? Mrs. Clark is my teacher.
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Who is calling you? Grandma is calling me.
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Who sings your favorite song? Taylor Swift sings it.
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Who helps you with homework? My sister helps me.
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Who do you hug at bedtime? I hug my teddy bear.
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Who brings the mail? The mailman brings it.
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Who cooks dinner at home? My mom cooks dinner.
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Who reads you bedtime stories? Dad reads to me.
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Who feeds your pet? I feed my cat.
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Who do you play with at the park? I play with Jake.
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Who wears a uniform at school? The principal wears one.
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Who watches TV with you? My brother watches with me.
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Who cleans your room? I clean my room.
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Who do you visit on holidays? We visit our cousins.
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Who cuts your hair? The barber cuts my hair.
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Who helps you get dressed? Mommy helps me.
What Questions
“What” questions help kids talk about objects, ideas, and actions.
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What is your favorite food? Pizza.
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What do you play with outside? My bike.
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What color is the sky? Blue.
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What do you like to watch on TV? Cartoons.
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What is in your backpack? My books.
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What do you hear now? A dog barking.
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What do you eat for breakfast? Cereal.
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What do you see in the garden? Flowers.
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What makes you happy? Playing with friends.
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What do you wear when it’s cold? A jacket.
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What do you like to draw? Animals.
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What game do you love? Hide and seek.
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What animal do you like? Puppies.
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What is your favorite book? The Gruffalo.
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What drink do you like best? Apple juice.
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What sound does a cat make? Meow.
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What’s your favorite toy? My dollhouse.
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What do you do on weekends? I ride my bike.
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What is under your bed? My shoes.
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What do you take to school? My lunchbox.
When Questions
“When” questions teach kids about time and daily routines.
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When do you go to bed? At 8 o’clock.
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When do you eat lunch? At noon.
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When is your birthday? In July.
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When do you play outside? After school.
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When do you brush your teeth? In the morning.
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When does it snow? In winter.
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When do you visit Grandma? On weekends.
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When do you watch cartoons? On Saturday morning.
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When do you read books? Before bedtime.
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When do you wake up? At seven o’clock.
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When do you go shopping? On Sundays.
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When do you wear rain boots? When it rains.
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When do you take a bath? At night.
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When do you open presents? On my birthday.
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When do you clean your room? On Saturdays.
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When do you sing songs? At music class.
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When do you go swimming? In summer.
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When do you have a snack? In the afternoon.
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When do you do your homework? After dinner.
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When do you ride your bike? In the evening.
Where Questions
“Where” questions help kids understand places and directions.
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Where is your school? Near the park.
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Where do you sleep? In my bed.
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Where is your toy box? In my room.
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Where does the sun set? In the West.
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Where do you keep your shoes? By the door.
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Where is the playground? Behind my house.
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Where do birds live? In trees.
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Where is mommy? In the kitchen.
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Where do you sit at dinner? At the table.
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Where is your favorite place? The beach.
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Where is your pencil? On the desk.
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Where do you go shopping? At the mall.
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Where do you watch movies? In the living room.
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Where do you put your backpack? By the door.
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Where do you ride your bike? On the street.
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Where do you find books? In the library.
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Where do fish swim? In the water.
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Where is the bathroom? Down the hall.
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Where do you draw pictures? At the table.
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Where is your hat? On the shelf.
Why Questions
“Why” questions help kids think about reasons and understand cause and effect.
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Why do we eat vegetables? To stay healthy.
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Why is the dog barking? Because he heard a noise.
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Why do you wear a coat? Because it’s cold.
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Why do we sleep at night? To rest.
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Why do you like ice cream? It’s sweet and yummy.
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Why do leaves fall? Because it’s autumn.
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Why do you smile? Because I’m happy.
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Why do we wash hands? To be clean.
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Why does it rain? To water the plants.
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Why do you cry sometimes? Because I feel sad.
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Why do you go to school? To learn new things.
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Why do cats purr? Because they’re happy.
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Why do you wear shoes? To protect my feet.
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Why do you laugh? Because something is funny.
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Why do birds fly? To find food.
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Why do you brush your hair? To keep it neat.
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Why do we recycle? To help the Earth.
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Why is the sky blue? Because of sunlight.
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Why do you run fast? To win the race.
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Why do you draw pictures? Because it’s fun.
How Questions
“How” questions help kids explain steps and share ideas clearly.
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How do you brush your teeth? With a toothbrush and toothpaste.
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How do you tie your shoes? With loops and knots.
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How do you make a sandwich? Put cheese between bread slices.
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How do you draw a cat? With a pencil and paper.
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How do you get to school? By bus.
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How do you open a door? Turn the knob.
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How do you clean your room? Put toys away.
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How do you say hello in Spanish? Hola.
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How do you feed your pet? Give it food and water.
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How do you play your favorite game? By following the rules.
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How do you ride a bike? By pedaling.
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How do you make your bed? Pull the blanket straight.
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How do you pack your bag? Put books inside.
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How do you wash your hands? With soap and water.
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How do you paint a picture? Use a brush and colors.
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How do you plant a flower? Dig a hole and water it.
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How do you bake cookies? With dough and an oven.
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How do you call grandma? Use the phone.
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How do you find your shoes? Look under the bed.
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How do you smile for a photo? Show your teeth.
Resources & Therapy Guide for WH Questions
Find helpful tools and practical tips to teach WH questions effectively during speech therapy and everyday routines.
This guide supports kids in understanding, practicing, and confidently answering WH questions through fun and engaging activities.
Recommended Resources
Here are some recommended resources to make practicing WH questions fun, clear, and effective for kids. These tools and activities can be used at home or in therapy sessions to build confidence and language skills.
- Visual Supports: Use picture cards, storybooks with questions, and posters that illustrate WH examples to make learning clear and engaging. These visual tools help kids understand, practice, and remember how to answer different WH questions.
- Interactive Tools: Use speech therapy apps like WH Questions or Question It for interactive practice. Printable worksheets provide easy question-and-answer activities for use at home or in therapy sessions.
- Games and Activities: Create a question jar with WH slips for kids to pick and answer, and use role play to act out scenarios with questions. Add fun by playing board games like “Guess Who?” or creating your own “What’s the Question?” game.
Try combining these resources with patience and praise to help children master WH questions naturally and confidently. With consistency and creativity, kids can enjoy learning and build stronger communication skills every day.
Therapy Guide: Using “How” and Other WH Questions in Sessions
Here are simple ways to help children practice answering WH questions effectively during everyday moments. Utilize these practical tips to make learning a natural, enjoyable, and integral part of your daily life.
- Start Simple: Use real objects or pictures. Ask concrete questions like “How do you eat an apple?” Then show and do the action.
- Use Repetition & Modeling: Repeat questions naturally during play. Model correct answers: “How do you brush your teeth? With a toothbrush and toothpaste.”
- Expand Answers: If a child answers with one word, expand it.
Child: “Brush.”
Adult: “Yes! You brush your teeth with a toothbrush and toothpaste!” - Practice in Daily Routines: During snack time, bath time, or chores, ask WH questions about what you’re doing. Example: “How do we clean up? We put the toys in the box.”
Encourage and praise your child as they learn, patient practice helps them become confident communicators. Keep it playful and repeat often so answering WH questions becomes a natural part of talking!
Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Children may face a few bumps while learning to answer WH questions, but knowing what to expect and how to help can make practice smoother and more fun.
Many kids respond with short or one-word answers, so model the complete response and encourage them to repeat it.
They might also confuse WH words like “where” and “when,” so use simple examples and clear visuals to build understanding.
Complex questions can be tricky too, break them into smaller parts and start with basic “what” or “who” questions before moving to “why” and “how.”
If a child loses interest, use fun games, props, or favorite toys to keep them engaged. With patience, repetition, and praise, children can grow confident in answering WH questions.
Conclusion
Every parent wants their child to communicate clearly and confidently.
WH questions are the building blocks that help kids express their thoughts and needs. When parents and therapists work together using these simple techniques, children begin asking more thoughtful questions and providing more detailed answers.
Remember, every child learns at their own pace. These WH question activities give kids the tools they need to share their world with others. The conversations that follow will be worth every effort put in.
Ready to help your child’s communication grow? Try one of these activities today and let us know how it goes in the comments below. For more speech therapy tips, check out our other helpful guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What If My Child Gives The Wrong Answer?
Stay calm and gentle. Model the correct answer by repeating the question and answering it yourself. Praise their effort so they stay motivated to try again next time.
Can I Use Technology To Teach WH Questions?
Yes! Educational apps, videos, and online storybooks with interactive questions can be great tools. Just balance screen time with real-life practice and conversation.
How Long Does It Take For A Child To Master WH Questions?
Every child is different. Some may pick up basic WH questions quickly, while more complex ones, such as “why” and “how,” can take months of consistent practice and repetition.
When Should I Worry About My Child’s WH Question Skills?
If your child is over four and still struggles to answer simple “what” and “where” questions, it’s a good idea to consult a speech therapist for personalized support and strategies.
