Who, What, Where… and Why Is This So Complicated? Unpacking “wh” questions!
“Wh” Questions: Why They Matter, What They Are, and When Kids Learn Them
If you've ever asked your child “Why are you crying?” and got back a blank stare, a dinosaur roar, or a dramatic collapse to the floor…first of all, you're not alone. Secondly, you just asked a "wh" question. And yes, they're more complicated than they seem!
Let’s unpack the what, when, and why (see what we did there?) of “wh” questions, and how they help children develop language, reasoning, and those all-important social skills.
So… What Are “Wh” Questions?
“Wh” questions are exactly what they sound like—questions that start with words like:
Who
What
Where
When
Why
Which
How (Okay, not technically a “wh” word, but it plays on the same team)
Examples:
Where do you want to eat?
Why are you crying?
Who turned out the lights?
These questions aren't just about gathering information. They're how kids connect, explore their world, and start piecing together how everything fits.
Why Are “Wh” Questions So Important?
Asking and answering “wh” questions builds way more than conversation skills. They help children:
✅ Express themselves clearly
✅ Build stronger social connections
✅ Learn new vocabulary and sentence structure
✅ Develop problem-solving and reasoning skills
✅ Strengthen comprehension and critical thinking
Pretty powerful, right?
But Here’s the Thing: Not All “Wh” Questions Are Created Equal
Some are simple. Some are... not. And they don't all develop at the same time. Here's a quick cheat sheet:
Ages 2–3:
What, Where, Who
Ages 4–5:
Why, When, How, Which
Most kids will grasp the full range of “wh” questions by around age 4, but remember, every child is different.
And if your child is a gestalt language processor (they learn language in chunks rather than word-by-word), their timeline may differ. Most of the current data we have is based on analytic processors, kids who learn language apart piece by piece. Visit our blog post on gestalt vs. analytic language processors to learn more about how your child learns language!
Anyway, back to it…
Some “Wh” Questions Are More Complex Than Others
Let's break it down:
Simple Questions (aka Factual):
These are right-there-in-the-text kinds of questions.
Example:
“Sally went to the store.”
Who went to the store?
Where did Sally go?
Easy-peasy.
Complex Questions (aka Inferential):
These require a little detective work. The answer isn’t directly stated, you have to think about it.
Example:
Why did Sally go to the store?
(We don’t know! Maybe for snacks? Probably snacks.)
These require kids to make connections, reason through situations, and use past knowledge.
What Makes “Wh” Questions Tricky for Kids?
Each “wh” word asks for a different type of information:
Who=Person
What=Thing/Action
Where=Place
When=Time
Why=Reason
How=Manner/Process
Which= A choice
To answer them correctly, your child needs to understand vocabulary, grammar, memory, attention, and reasoning. That’s a lot of brainpower for one little question!
Plus, sentence complexity matters.
Compare these two:
“Who cleans your teeth?” ✅
“When your teeth are dirty, who do you have to go see?” ❌ (That's a lot of information to hold and process at once!)
How to Support Kids (Especially Those with Language Delays or Disorders)
If your child struggles with “wh” questions, don’t worry! It’s common for children with language disorders to have difficulty here. The good news? There’s a lot you can do to help:
✅ Teach Question Words One at a Time
Start with easier ones like who, what, and where. Move on to why, when, and how later.
✅ Use Visual Supports
Show pictures, hold up objects, or act things out. Kids learn better when they can see and do.
✅ Use Peers or Siblings as Models
Let your child hear others answer questions. Kids love copying (especially big brothers and sisters).
✅ Keep Sentences Simple
Shorter, clearer questions are easier to understand. Don’t overload their working memory.
✅ Let Them Be Hands-On
Let your child act out answers. If you ask “Who is brushing the doll’s hair?” and they get to do it—boom! Motivation and understanding go up.
✅ Use the “I do, we do, you do” Approach
I do it – Model the question and answer yourself.
We do it – Encourage them to answer with you.
You do it – Let them try independently.
A Final Thought for Parents
“Wh” questions might seem small, but they pack a big developmental punch. They’re not just about getting answers, they’re about building connection, confidence, and communication.
So next time your toddler answers your “why” question with “because dinosaurs,” take a breath. Celebrate that they’re thinking and responding, even if the logic is, uh, unique.
And keep asking. Keep modeling. You’re helping build a strong foundation for language, and that’s something worth talking about!
Want more tips like this for supporting your child's language development? Stay tuned or reach out, I’m always happy to help decode the wonderful (and sometimes wacky) world of communication.