New TA - students asking personal questions

[ASnowballsChance]

I've been working as a secondary TA for a few weeks now having done something different prior to this. I just wanted a bit of clarification on something. I've had a few students asking me questions like how big is my house, how old am I, am I married, do I have kids etc. I don't mind these questions and I don't mind answering them but should I actually be answering them?!

You have to try and judge the situation, for example, when you're trying to support a child in the middle of a lesson- no, they're distracting themselves and you from work. At other times you can answer questions to try and build a bit of a relationship.

Generally I casually say, 'ancient' to how old are you. 'Are you married?' is a bit more personal. I'd answer that one by referring to being called Miss/Mrs. How big is your house- I'd either use humour or just calmly say that it was a normal question. I'd be happy to answer about having children, again depending on timing.

I hope that helps.

I work in the school my children go to so the pupils know I have children. If I was asked if I was married I'd say yes that's why I'm a Mrs, if I was asked how big my house is I'd probably say something like its just the right size for my family

Both helpful answers, thank you.

Ask them if they want to chat at break time. I think you’ll find the questions stop then.

Just redirect them to the work each time.

Agree with redirecting them to the work, kids are masters at trying to derail the actual lesson with random questions!

I know some people say don’t give out too much personal information, but I will happily mention my DC for example, or talk about my cats or what I did at the weekend in quite a general sense. I live locally and get a lot of “I saw you in Tesco, Miss!” so I can’t really hide it!

Agree with a pp just say "I'm on break duty tomorrow , ask me then".

Yes, they're just derailing. Get them back on track!

My stock answer is "is that anything to do with this work?"

Although generally I don't mind, but I'm a primary teacher. I'm surprised they're still so interested in secondary! I'm often asked by new classes if I'm married, whether I have children, what religion I am ("I don't have one." "But are you still a Christian, though?").

My favourite was "Are you a teenager?"

They aren’t interested. They are just more interested in hooking the teacher into a conversation than they are in doing the work.

Haha! Whereas in primary I've had to FORCE them to leave and go play rather than get the details of whether I have yet to procreate or not!

Primary teacher here and I've been asked all sorts! When I was pregnant was the most interesting for questions. Is the baby drinking your wee? Can the baby hear you fart? Were two of the best questions! Oh and does the baby bite your tummy? These were year five children. I just judged what I felt comfortable answering. I never answered questions about my husband or where we lived, although some knew as I lived down the road. I answered questions about my baby, what I did at the weekend if I felt it relevant (museum) and books I liked.

Tell them something different each time. Then tell the most gossipy one that you’re a spy but to keep it to his/herself.

I’m a primary TA in Y1. I love that children are constantly amazed that I have children! I’m 47 and chances are I do have dc and within their own worlds of being children with parents, it’s what they know! At y1, I don’t mind telling them.