Conversation Guide
A companion for families who want to think deeper, talk more, and connect better.
quick start
do this tonight.
1
don't announce it
If you make it a "thing", resistance goes up. Just bring the deck to the table casually.
2
set the stage
"Okay, we're doing something different tonight. Everyone has to answer a question."
3
start with level 1
Playful starters that make it easy to jump in. No pressure.
Level 1: Wonder
FIRST WIN:
You'll laugh, get unexpected answers, and people start opening up.
the value is STaying in the conversation, Not finishing cards
Ask follow-ups. Let answers spark new ideas.
Model thinking out loud - adults don't need perfect answers.
Kids begin listening better and asking their own questions.
conversation guide
A companion for families who want to think deeper, talk more, and connect better.
get the free guide
Quick start. do this tonight.
1
don't announce it
2
set the stage
3
start with level 1
If you make it a "thing", resistance goes up. Just bring the deck to the table casually.
"Okay, we're doing something different tonight. Everyone has to answer a question."
Playful starters that make it easy to jump in. No pressure.
Level 1: Wonder
FIRST WIN: You'll laugh, get unexpected answers, and people start opening up.
the value is STaying in the conversation, Not finishing cards
Ask follow-ups. Let answers spark new ideas.
Model thinking out loud - adults don't need perfect answers.
Kids begin listening better and asking their own questions.
go-to prompts when answers are short
"Why do you think that?"
"What would change your mind?"
"Can you think of an example?"
"Who might disagree - and why?"
"How do you think someone else might feel?"
the 4 layers of thought
Go in order or jump around based on energy
Start on Level 1 and move up over time - or mix levels by mood.
go-to prompts when answsers are short
"Why do you think that?"
"What would change your mind?"
"Can you think of an example?"
"Who might disagree - and why?"
"How do you think someone else might feel?"
the 4 layers of thought
Go in order or jump around based on energy
Start on Level 1 and move up over time - or mix levels by mood.
The "Think deeper challenge"
Every card includes an optional follow-up that encourages players to stretch their thinking further...There are no right or wrong answers - just opportunities to grow.
the "think deeper challenge"
Every card includes an optional follow-up that encourages players to stretch their thinking further...There are no right or wrong answers - just opportunities to grow.
Follow-up Cards
When a Follow-Up Card appears, the person who drew it asks a follow-up question to each player. This teaches everyone how to ask good questions, not just answer them.
try this:
Let everyone at the table ask at least one follow-up question to the speaker?
Probe, don't pounce
Encourage exploration, not correction. When you hear an answer you disagree with or don't understand, get curious instead of critical.
"What made you think of that?"
"Would that still be true if something changed?"
"Why might other people see it differently?"
Example Dialoges
Hypotheticals & Fun
Question:
"If you could swap places with a famous person for a day, who would it be?"
Answer:
LeBron James.
- "That'd be awesome! What would you do with your one day?"
- "If he switched with you for a day, what might surprise him?"
Choices & Dilemmas
Question:
"You're given $1,000 to spend in 24 hours - what do you do with it?"
Answer:
I'd buy an Xbox
- "Nice! Why that and not something else?"
- "If you had to spend it helping someone else, what would you do?"
Media Literacy
Question:
"Why do you think some headlines sound exaggerated or emotional?"
Answer:
To get attention.
- "Good point, why is attention so important to media?"
- "Do you tink that changes how we feel about stories?"
Perspectives & Interpretation
Question:
"Why do you think two people can see the same event differently?"
Answer:
Because people notice different things.
- "Great, what kinds of things do you think you notice first?"
- "How do your experiences shape what you see?"
Reflection
Question:
"What's a mistake the ended up teaching you something valuable"
Answer:
I forgot homework once and got in trouble.
- "That happens. What did that teach you about yourself?"
- "What might you tell someone else in that situation?"
Debate
Question:
"Should school start later in the morning?"
Answer:
Yes, because I'm tired.
- "That's fair. Why do you think schools start early now?"
- "What would be good or bad about that change for everyone?"
tips for building the habit
Keep it light
(1-2 cards)
Make it routine
Rotate who leads
Celebrate curiosity
Stay flexible
Note progress in the Journal
Start Today
One question is all it takes to change dinner.
Food For Thought™ Deck
$45.00
A ready-to-use deck with 4 thinking levels and 6 categories-built for dinner, car rides and "we have 10-minutess" moments.
Follow-up Cards
When a Follow-Up Card appears, the person who drew it asks a follow-up question to each player. This teaches everyone how to ask good questions, not just answer them.
try this:
Let everyone at the table ask at least one follow-up question to the speaker?
Probe, don't pounce
Encourage exploration, not correction. When you hear an answer you disagree with or don't understand, get curious instead of critical.
"What made you think of that?"
"How do you know that's true?"
"Why might other people see it different?"
Example Dialoges
Hypotheticals & Fun
Question:
"If you could swap places with a famous person for a day, who would it be?"
Answer:
LeBron James.
- "That'd be awesome! What would you do with your one day?"
- "If he switched with you for a day, what might surprise him?"
Choices & Dilemmas
Question:
"You're given $1,000 to spend in 24 hours - what do you do with it?"
Answer:
I'd buy an Xbox
- "Nice! Why that and not something else?"
- "If you had to spend it helping someone else, what would you do?"
Media Literacy
Question:
"Why do you think some headlines sound exaggerated or emotional?"
Answer:
To get attention.
- "Good point, why is attention so important to media?"
- "Do you tink that changes how we feel about stories?"
Perspective & Interpretation
Question:
"Why do you think two people can see the same event differently?"
Answer:
Because people notice different things.
- "Great, what kinds of things do you think you notice first?"
- "How do your experiences shape what you see?"
Reflection
Question:
"What's a mistake the ended up teaching you something valuable"
Answer:
I forgot homework once and got in trouble.
- "That happens. What did that teach you about yourself?"
- "What might you tell someone else in that situation?"
Debate
Question:
"Should school start later in the morning?"
Answer:
Yes, because I'm tired.
- "That's fair. Why do you think schools start early now?"
- "What would be good or bad about that change for everyone?"
Tips for building
the habit
Keep it light
(1-2 cards)
Make it routine
Rotate who leads
Celebrate curiosity
Stay flexible
Note progress in the Journal
Start Today
One question is all it takes to change dinner.
