Some books read like manuals, others like research reports. But once in a while, you come across a book that feels like sitting down with a wise teacher over a cup of tea, listening to her observations about children, classrooms, and the little mysteries of learning. Kamala Mukundan’s What Did You Ask at School Today? is exactly that kind of book.
Drawing from her long years as a teacher, Mukundan offers not theories but lived experience. Through anecdotes, reflections, and gentle insights, she shows us how children learn, how they resist, and how they often fall silent under the weight of adult expectations. For parents and teachers in India, where education is still largely about marks and ranks, her voice is refreshing and deeply necessary.
The Heart of the Book
The title itself is striking. We usually ask children after school, “What did you learn today?” Mukundan flips the question to “What did you ask?” — emphasizing that real learning begins not with answers but with questions.
As a teacher myself for over 30 years, this resonated powerfully. Children are naturally curious. They ask endlessly when they are small: Why is the sky blue? Why can’t we eat ice cream for breakfast? Why does 2 + 2 always make 4? But somewhere along the way, especially once they enter formal schooling, the questions stop. They learn quickly that the system rewards quiet compliance and correct answers, not curiosity.
Mukundan’s book documents this silencing process — not harshly, but with compassion. She shows us how children adapt to survive in classrooms: some withdraw, some bluff, some memorize. And she also shows us glimpses of joy when a child dares to ask, when a teacher pauses to listen, when curiosity sneaks through the cracks.
Why This Book Matters in India
In India, parents are often caught in the spiral of marks. Our anxieties about board exams, IIT, NEET, and competitive careers seep into our homes. We drill children, sign them up for coaching, measure them by percentages. In such an atmosphere, asking questions seems like a luxury.
But Mukundan reminds us: without questions, there is no real learning. A child who only reproduces answers may score, but will falter later when life demands originality. A child who is encouraged to ask, however, learns to think — and thinking is the foundation for everything else.
I was reminded of my own students. Many who topped school exams did not necessarily thrive later, because their success was built on memorization. But the ones who asked “Why does this formula work?” or “What if we try it differently?” carried their curiosity into college and beyond. That is the message Mukundan gently insists upon: keep the questioning alive.
Anecdotes That Stay With You
One of the charms of this book is its storytelling. Mukundan does not lecture. Instead, she recounts small incidents — a child who refused to write, a parent who scolded, a classroom moment when laughter broke the tension. Each story reveals how fragile and precious the learning process is.
These anecdotes reminded me of my own daughter. When she was young, she once wrote to the author of a children’s book to complain that showing kids drinking Coca-Cola was not appropriate. That questioning spirit — the courage to challenge — is exactly what Mukundan celebrates. Children who are given space to question grow into adults with integrity.
Lessons for Parents
For parents reading this book, the lessons are simple but profound:
- Ask different questions at home. Instead of “What marks did you get?”, try “What confused you today?” or “What question are you still thinking about?”
- Value the process. Don’t rush to complete homework for the sake of neat notebooks. Let children linger, even struggle.
- Listen deeply. When children ask questions, don’t dismiss them as silly. Each question is a window into how they think.
- Protect curiosity. Even in board years, carve out time for exploration — puzzles, stories, nature walks. Curiosity is not a distraction; it is the fuel.
- Respect individuality. Not every child learns the same way. What looks like laziness may be hesitation, or even quiet resistance to a system that doesn’t fit.
My Reflections
As I read Mukundan’s words, I felt affirmed in my own journey as a teacher. For years, I have argued that children need not finish homework at any cost. The race to tick boxes kills learning. Instead, what matters is teaching them to stay with a problem, to delay gratification, to keep coming back even when the answer doesn’t arrive quickly.
Mukundan’s book reminded me that as parents and teachers, our role is not to fill children with information. YouTube and AI can do that faster. Our role is to give children the courage to ask, the space to struggle, and the assurance that failure is not shameful.
Why I Recommend This Book
- It is accessible. Simple language, short chapters, full of real-life stories.
- It is practical. Parents can immediately change their conversations with children.
- It is compassionate. It does not blame, but gently guides.
- It is Indian. The stories come from our context, our schools, our families — making it instantly relatable.