My parents were both teachers and did the same thing. From my perspective, I think that asking a child (or student) why they think something, or "what do you think X should do?". This is the main reason I despise Australia's education system, it doesn't cater to students that actually want to learn.
My bad experience with Australia's education system was when my 5yo son got chastised for looking at the clouds...No matter the context, i.e. he was the last one back in class, I can't fathom a worse educational approach. He was asking me whether he was allowed to look at clouds for months afterwards.
That's horrible. I would take it up with the teacher and tell them that's not acceptable.
Another thing that irks me about the Australian education system is how it's designed to create pacifists who aren't motivated to protect themselves. If another child in the playground hits you, you're meant to do nothing. That's not how to create a generation of people who can stand up for themselves.
My parents were very pissed off when they found out that's what I'd been taught at school. Sure, it makes life easier for teachers, but that's not the point of education. But it's probably a cultural thing, since my parents came from a country that was at war and that experience taught them how to protect themselves.
