Make room
for their point of view.
Choose a moment they might recognise, read it together, and let a question open the conversation — then see where it takes you.
One story. Four ways in.
Start with the situation and one question. The extra prompts are there for when you both want to keep going.
Read the situation
A short, everyday dilemma gives you something to talk about together. Read it aloud or let your child read.
Talk together
Three open questions invite their point of view. Choose one, listen, and leave room for a different answer.
Dig a little deeper
Two follow-up questions help you explore a little further, if the moment feels right.
Optional
Try it out
Three small activities turn an idea into something you can practise. Pick the one that suits your family.
Optional
Every question is open on purpose. There’s nothing to get right.
Each story offers a few questions to talk about, a couple to explore further, and something small to try. None has one correct answer — because a question a child can fail is a test, not a conversation.
Open questions make room for their view
“What do you think?” and “Why might they feel that way?” cannot be answered wrongly. The aim is to hear how your child sees things, not to steer them toward your answer.
The deeper questions are optional
Some questions need more trust or more time. Use them when the conversation is flowing, and leave them when it isn’t. Nothing is left unfinished.
The activity makes it practical
Saying something out loud or trying it together can make an idea easier to remember when it matters. Pick what suits your family — or skip it altogether.
Some stories follow another child. Some invite your child to imagine.
You’ll notice two kinds of story in Talking Quest. Some follow a named child — Sofia, Daniel or Mia. Others use “you”: “Your friend asks you to cover for them.” Neither assumes the story has really happened. They simply offer two different ways into a conversation.
A named child gives them breathing room
When a story belongs to somebody else, children can explore a tricky idea without having to share anything personal straight away. “What do you think Sofia should do?” can feel much easier than “What would you do?” — and often opens the door to a real conversation.
“You” helps them practise a choice
A “you” story is a what-if: an invitation to step into a situation and think through it safely. There is no right answer to perform and no expectation that it has happened to them. It simply lets them rehearse what they might notice, feel or choose if a similar moment ever came along.
A small cue can help
If your child takes a “you” story literally, begin with: “This is a what-if — let’s imagine it’s you.” You might also say, “It doesn’t have to have happened to you for us to talk about it.”
If a story feels too close, choose one about a named child instead. There is no need to push; a little distance can make an important conversation feel easier.
"What could they do?" is an easier place to begin.
A story lets you explore someone else's situation before deciding whether to share anything personal. Start with curiosity — "What do you think?" — then give it time.
Open the full free scenario →The New Girl Nobody Talks To
Different ages. Different worlds.
Use their age as a starting point, then choose a topic that fits their interests and readiness.
Ages 4–7
Feelings, friendship, bravery and the people around them. Read aloud and keep the conversation concrete.
Browse these topics →Ages 8–12
Belonging, decisions, responsibility and a growing online world. Make space for their own reasoning.
Browse these topics →Teens
Identity, relationships, independence and pressure. Offer choice and respect what they prefer to keep private.
Browse these topics →These bands are a starting point, not a rule. Plenty of kids are ready for the next group early, and some like to revisit an earlier one — follow your child, not the label.
More listening. Less pressure.
Let them pass
"Not today" is an answer too. Try a lighter topic, another question, or a different moment.
Stay with the story
You can discuss what the character might do — your child doesn't need to share a personal experience.
Leave room to disagree
Ask what led them to their answer. Share your view without turning the conversation into a test.
A little moment you can return to.
Try one question at dinner, a story at bedtime, or a conversation once a week. You can come back to an unfinished talk — there's no streak to protect and no deadline to finish.
A few things you might wonder.
›How much time should we allow?
A few minutes is plenty. Read the situation and choose one question — the rest is there only if you both want to keep going.
›What if my child won't talk?
Start with the story, not them. "What could they do?" is far easier than "what would you do?" — and passing is always fine.
›Why do some stories say "you"?
They are what-if stories: an invitation for your child to imagine being in the situation, rather than watch it from the outside. If they take it literally, try: “Let’s imagine it’s you.” Stories about a named child offer a little more distance when that feels easier.
›Do we have to answer every question?
No. One question can be enough. The deeper questions and try-it-out activity are optional.
›Can siblings do this together?
Yes — different ages can join the same conversation. Pick a topic and let each child answer in their own way.
›How do I choose a sensitive topic?
Start light and follow their lead. Sensitive themes are threaded gently through topics, so you can go as far as feels right.
›What can we try before subscribing?
Every topic has one full free scenario. Start in the library, choose an age group — no account needed to browse.