What is on your mind?

If you want to get to know your child better you could try this...

sit down beside them and ask them "What is on your mind today?" You never know what your child will tell you and most likely will surprise you. The time to do this could be anytime that they are not too absorbed in anything yet, but the best time may be at bed time. It seems that kids like to unload at the end of the day, it must help them to relax.
I can go in and ask or tell my kids something at bedtime and it seems they never want me to leave, but they just want to keep talking. If you give them this uninterrupted time you won't regret getting to know your kids better and lots of good things can come from it.