# Children Who Stop Talking to Parents Haven't Lost Self-Confidence

> Parents often misread child silence as distrust, but it may stem from how questions are asked.
- Title: Children Who Stop Talking to Parents Haven't Lost…
- Summary: Parents often misread child silence as distrust, but it may stem from how questions are asked. Children who stop talking to parents haven't lost…
- Keywords: children, parents, silence, questions, confidence, child development, Stop, Talking, Haven't, Lost, Self-Confidence, Psychologies
- Source: Psychologies — https://psychologies.com/moi/moi-et-les-autres-moi/Les-enfants-qui-ne-racontent-plus-rien-a-leurs-parents-nont-pas-forcement-perdu-confiance-en-eux-parfois-cest-leur-facon-de-poser-des-questions-qui-les-fait-se-taire-643490
- Author: Nina Parage
- Published: 2026-10-17T12:06:12+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: children, parents, silence, questions, confidence, child development
## Why Children Stop Talking
Parents often misread child silence as a loss of trust when it may actually be how questions are asked.

> Votre enfant répond "bien" à tout et hausse les épaules dès que vous l'interrogez sur sa journée ?
## Study Finds Spontaneous Confessions Matter More
Swedish research shows children share more when parents ask open questions rather than direct ones.

> Les chercheurs ont comparé deux sources d'information : ce que l'enfant raconte spontanément et ce que les parents obtiennent en surveillant ou en interrogeant.
## Questions Can Close Children's Voices
Questions perceived as control may make children silent, even if they are not the cause of the silence.

> Une question vécue comme un contrôle peut refermer l'enfant.
## Open Questions Work Better
Open questions like 'Tell me about your day' get more detailed answers than yes/no questions.

> Les invitations ouvertes ('Raconte-moi') ont produit des réponses plus détaillées que les questions ciblées.
## What Parents Should Do
Replace 'Did your day go well?' with 'Tell me about your day' and follow up with the child's responses.

> Raconte-moi un moment de ta journée.
## Key takeaway

Children who stop talking to parents haven't lost self-confidence; their silence often results from how parents ask questions.