Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

“Childhood” ESL Discussion Questions

I. Early Childhood
1. What is your first memory from your childhood?
2. Did you have a favorite toy or game as a child?
3. How would you describe your childhood home?
4. What was your favorite childhood snack?
5. Who was your best friend in early childhood?

II. Family Life
6. How many siblings do you have, and what are their ages?
7. What is your favorite family memory from childhood?
8. How did your parents raise you?
9. Were you close with your extended family?
10. What traditions did your family have when you were young?

III. School Days
11. Did you enjoy going to school as a child?
12. What was your favorite subject in school?
13. Can you recall a favorite teacher from your childhood?
14. What was your least favorite subject in school?
15. Did you participate in any extracurricular (after-school) activities?

IV. Hobbies and Interests
16. What hobbies did you have as a child?
17. Did you play any sports when you were young?
18. What was your favorite book or story growing up?
19. Did you enjoy drawing, painting, or other art activities?
20. What kind of music did you like during your childhood?

V. Holidays and Celebrations
21. What was your favorite holiday as a child?
22. How did your family celebrate birthdays?
23. Did your family take vacations or trips together?
24. How did you celebrate New Year’s Eve as a child?
25. What was your favorite childhood birthday party?

VI. Challenges and Lessons
26. What was the most difficult challenge you faced as a child?
27. Can you recall an important lesson you learned during your childhood?
28. Did you ever get into trouble as a kid?
29. How did your parents discipline you?
30. How did you overcome difficulties in your childhood?

VII. Friendships and Relationships
31. How did you make friends as a child?
32. Do you still keep in touch with childhood friends?
33. Did you have a childhood crush?
34. How did you handle conflicts with friends?
35. What qualities did you value in friends as a child?

VIII. Technology and Entertainment
36. What was your favorite television show growing up?
37. Did you play video games as a child?
38. How did you access the internet when you were young?
39. Did you have a favorite movie or film from your childhood?
40. How did your family entertain guests during your childhood?

IX. Cultural Differences
41. How did your culture influence your childhood?
42. Did you learn a second language as a child?
43. What cultural traditions were important in your childhood?
44. How did your family celebrate cultural events?
45. Did you experience culture shock as a child?

X. Changes and Growth
46. How has your hometown changed since your childhood?
47. What values from your childhood have stayed with you?
48. What aspects of your childhood do you miss?
49. How do you think childhood has changed over time?
50. What lessons from your childhood would you pass on to your own children?

XI. Comparing Childhoods
51. How was your childhood different from your parents’?
52. How do you think your childhood compares to your friends’?
53. How has technology changed childhood experiences?
54. How are children’s hobbies different today than when you were young?
55. What childhood activities do you think are timeless?

XII. Childhood Dreams
56. What did you want to be when you grew up?
57. Did you achieve any of your childhood dreams?
58. How have your aspirations changed since you were a child?
59. What advice would you give to your younger self?
60. Do you think it’s important for children to have dreams for the future?