How to Answer Kids' Questions About Whales

Draw analogies to build bridges of understanding when answering questions about these magnificent mammals that live in a very different world than your child does. Compare whales to familiar things with answers such as, ̶0;An adult humpback is typically about 40 to 50 feet long; this is a little longer than your school bus,̶1; and ̶0;Whales are not fish; they are mammals like us -- they breathe air, nurse their young and are warm-blooded.̶1;

Dazzle your kids with answers they can in turn use to impress their friends by including an amazing fact in your answer. ̶0;How big are whales?̶1; ̶0;The biggest type of whale is the blue whale, and it is larger than any animal that has ever lived on earth -- larger than even the biggest dinosaur. According to National Geographic, a blue whale can grow up to 110 feet long and 150 tons. That̵7;s about as long as a commercial airline or three school buses.̶1;

Make it social and put whales̵7; family and social lives within reach of a child̵7;s perspective. For example, people and whales are generally social animals. Some like to stay close to home and others like to travel, but most like to stay in touch. You might say to your kids, ̶0;Bottlenose dolphins often live in groups called pods with which they play, hunt, raise their young (and babysit for each other) and nap together. Blue whales often travel far from home but stay in touch with each other, using low-frequency, high-decibal sounds that can be heard by other blue whales across entire ocean basins.̶1;

Turn answers about whales into activities. Consider your child̵7;s preferred school subjects and reinforce them. For example, in answering a question about a baby whale̵7;s diet, you might begin with saying, ̶0;A baby humpback whale weighs about two tons and downs 100 pounds of milk a day,̶1; and then add a math challenge such as figuring the ratio in comparing to the amount of milk a human baby drinks. Ask your child to draw a picture of an answer you have given him, if he enjoys art. Ask your musical child to create a song based on your whale discussion. Encourage a creative writer to make up a story based on what he̵7;s learned.

Answer questions when you can, but when you don̵7;t know the answer, seize the opportunity to teach him how to find them on his own. Help him find videos about whales online that are produced by credible organizations. Take him to the library where a children̵7;s librarian can help him find nonfiction books to deepen his knowledge, or fiction books with whales in them. Depending on your child̵7;s age and skill level, research together or guide him to quality sources online such as National Geographic for Kids and oceanography websites. This teaches him how to find answers to his questions, a skill that will serve him well.