No question is silly—ask.

Sometimes it feels scary to raise your hand or whisper a question. You might think everyone will laugh, or that your question is too small or too silly. But as a parent watching you grow, I want you to hear this: No question is silly—ask. When you ask, you learn, you stay safe, and you give your brain a chance to stretch. Questions are how people figure things out, and every question you have matters.

Curiosity is a superpower. If something confuses you or makes you worried, asking helps you get a clearer picture. It could be about homework, friendships, body changes, or feelings that don’t fit into words yet. Asking shows you’re paying attention and thinking. It’s okay if the person you ask doesn’t have the answer right away — they can help you find it, or say “I don’t know” and look it up with you. That’s part of learning too. If you’re worried someone might make fun of you, remember that most adults and most teachers want to help. And if a friend laughs, that says more about them than it does about your question.

Here are short things you can try saying when you’re unsure or nervous. They’re simple, clear, and strong: - “I don’t get this—can you help?”
- “Can I ask a quick question?”
- “That’s interesting. Could you explain more?”
- “I’m worried about this. What should I do?”
- “I need a little more time, please.”
- “I don’t know what that word means.”
- “Can we look it up together?”
- “I need help understanding.”

If you’re shy about asking in front of a class, there are other ways. Write your question on a sticky note, send a message, or wait after class to ask the teacher quietly. At home, tell a grown-up when something bothers you — we want to know. You can start with the smallest question and practice getting braver. Each time you ask, it becomes a little easier.

Parents can help by listening without rushing, saying “Good question,” and resisting the urge to sound annoyed. If I’m your parent, I’ll try to make asking feel safe: I’ll stop what I’m doing, look at you, and treat your question like it matters, because it does. If I don’t know the answer, I’ll say so and we’ll find it together. Modeling how to ask shows you it’s normal and useful.

Asking builds confidence. It teaches you to trust your voice and your thoughts. So keep asking, even about the small things. Every question helps you understand yourself and the world a little better. I’m proud when you wonder—and prouder when you ask. No question is silly—ask, and I’ll be right here to listen.