You walk into the kitchen and hear an elderly aunt humming while sorting old photo albums. The child beside you watches curiously, wondering what stories lie behind the faded pictures. Turning a simple moment into a structured interview lets the child practice listening, asking, and recording while preserving family memory. The guide below offers a set of age‑appropriate questions, practical tips for setting up the interview, and ways to handle unexpected answers, so the project stays focused and meaningful.
Getting started: setting and relationship
1. Who are you speaking with today and how are you related? (If they mention a nickname, ask: ‘What does that nickname mean to you?’)
2. Where do you feel most comfortable sharing stories? (Follow up with: ‘Can you show me something in that place that reminds you of a memory?’)
3. What time of day do you usually talk with each other? (Ask: ‘Why does that time work best for you?’)
4. How often do you see each other in a month? (If they say rarely, ask: ‘What do you look forward to when you meet?’)
5. What kind of recorder or notebook will you use together? (Prompt: ‘Would you like to draw a picture while you talk?’)
6. Who will be listening while you record? (If a sibling joins, ask: ‘What role will they play?’)
7. What is one rule you want to set for the interview? (For example: ‘We will not interrupt each other.’)
8. How long do you think the conversation should last? (If they suggest 20 minutes, ask: ‘Do you want a break halfway through?’)
9. What will you do if the conversation gets noisy? (Ask: ‘Will you move to a quieter room?’)
10. Where will you keep the recording after the interview? (Prompt: ‘Will you put it in a family folder or a school drive?’)
Childhood and family life
1. What was your favorite game to play when you were my age? (If they mention a board game, ask: ‘Who taught you how to play it?’)
2. Where did you grow up, and what did the neighborhood look like? (Follow up with: ‘Can you describe a typical street you?’)
3. Who were your closest friends, and what did you do together? (Ask: ‘Do you still keep in touch with any of them?’)
4. What chores did you have at home, and how did you feel about them? (If they mention washing dishes, ask: ‘Did you have a favorite dish to wash?’)
5. What school subject did you enjoy most, and why? (Prompt: ‘Did a teacher inspire you in that subject?’)
6. What family tradition did you look forward to each year? (If they mention a holiday meal, ask: ‘What was the special dish?’)
7. What was the first book you remember reading on your own? (Ask: ‘What part of the story stayed with you?’)
8. How did you celebrate birthdays when you were a child? (Follow up: ‘Did you have a favorite birthday cake?’)
9. What piece of clothing or accessory meant a lot to you? (If they mention a hat, ask: ‘Where did you get it?’)
10. What is a memory that makes you smile whenever you think of it? (Prompt: ‘Can you describe the sounds and smells of that moment?’)
School, work, and community
1. What was your first job, and how did you get it? (If they mention a newspaper delivery, ask: ‘What was your route like?’)
2. Who was a mentor or teacher who influenced your career path? (Ask: ‘What advice did they give you that you still use?’)
3. What community event did you help organize, and what was your role? (If they mention a parade, ask: ‘Did you design any floats?’)
4. How did you travel to work or school before cars were common? (Follow up: ‘Did you ride a bike or take a bus?’)
5. What was a typical workday like for you in your twenties? (Prompt: ‘What was your lunch break routine?’)
6. What skill did you learn on the job that you are proud of? (If they mention woodworking, ask: ‘What was the first thing you built?’)
7. How did you stay in touch with colleagues after leaving a job? (Ask: ‘Do you still meet for coffee?’)
8. What was a challenging project, and how did you overcome it? (Follow up: ‘What did you learn about yourself?’)
9. What community place (park, library, church) held special meaning for you? (Prompt: ‘What activity did you most enjoy there?’)
10. How did you balance work and family responsibilities? (If they mention a schedule, ask: ‘What was your most helpful routine?’)
Traditions, holidays, and celebrations
1. What holiday was most important in your family, and why? (If they mention Thanksgiving, ask: ‘What dish did you always help prepare?’)
2. How did you decorate your home for special occasions? (Follow up: ‘Did you make any decorations yourself?’)
3. What song or music is linked to a family celebration? (Prompt: ‘Can you sing a few lines for me?’)
4. What gift have you given that you remember most? (If they mention a handmade item, ask: ‘How did you make it?’)
5. What ritual did you follow on New Year’s Eve? (Ask: ‘Did you write down any resolutions?’)
6. How did you celebrate a wedding or anniversary in your youth? (Follow up: ‘What was the most memorable part of the ceremony?’)
7. What food is always present at family gatherings? (Prompt: ‘What is the story behind that recipe?’)
8. What clothing or costume did you wear for a cultural festival? (If they mention a costume, ask: ‘Who helped you put it together?’)
9. What story does your family tell about a past holiday disaster? (Ask: ‘How did you resolve it?’)
10. What does a quiet Sunday afternoon look like in your family? (Follow up: ‘Do you have a favorite board game or activity?’)
Challenges, changes, and coping
1. What was a difficult decision you had to make as a young adult? (If they mention moving cities, ask: ‘What made you choose that place?’)
2. How did you handle a health issue that changed your daily routine? (Prompt: ‘What support did you rely on?’)
3. What loss or grief did you experience, and how did you remember? (Ask: ‘Is there a particular object that helped you remember?’)
4. What was a time when you felt out of place, and what helped you adjust? (Follow up: ‘Did a friend or family member give you advice?’)
5. How did you cope with a financial setback? (If they mention a job loss, ask: ‘What steps did you take to recover?’)
6. What change in technology surprised you the most? (Prompt: ‘How did you learn to use it?’)
7. What family conflict did you witness, and what was the outcome? (Ask: ‘What did you learn about communication?’)
8. How did you support a loved one going through a tough time? (Follow up: ‘What small actions made a difference?’)
9. What habit did you give up, and why? (If they mention smoking, ask: ‘What helped you quit?’)
10. What advice would you give to your younger self facing a similar challenge? (Prompt: ‘What would you say in one sentence?’)
Starter questions for younger interviewers
1. What is your favorite memory with me? (If they smile, ask: ‘Can you tell me more about that day?’)
2. What was your favorite food when you were my age? (Prompt: ‘Did you help cook it?’)
3. Who was your best friend when you were a kid? (Ask: ‘What games did you play together?’)
4. What did you like to wear most often? (Follow up: ‘Did you have a special reason for that choice?’)
5. What was the first place you traveled to by yourself? (If they mention a park, ask: ‘What did you see there?’)
6. What song makes you think of your childhood? (Prompt: ‘Can you hum a few notes?’)
7. What was your favorite story or bedtime tale? (Ask: ‘Who told it to you?’)
8. What job did you want to have when you grew up? (Follow up: ‘Did you ever try it?’)
9. What was a funny mistake you made as a child? (If they mention a spilled milk, ask: ‘What did you do after it happened?’)
10. What pet did you have, and what was its name? (Prompt: ‘What was the pet’s favorite game?’)
11. What holiday did you look forward to the most? (Ask: ‘What made it special for you?’)
12. What is one piece of advice you would give to kids today? (Follow up: ‘Why is that important to you?’)
Worth remembering: The most useful habit is to keep the interview focused on concrete, sensory details and to let the child follow up with simple prompts that expand the story without changing the topic. This keeps the conversation clear, manageable, and memorable for both generations.
Common questions
What is the simplest way to start?
Begin by introducing the purpose in one sentence, then ask the first question about the relationship, such as “Who are you speaking with today and how are you related?” This establishes context and makes the child feel comfortable before moving to deeper topics.
What mistakes should I avoid?
Avoid long, abstract questions that can confuse a child, and do not rush to fill silence. Skip leading questions that suggest a particular answer, and be careful not to interrupt or change the subject when an unexpected story appears.
How do I know when the project is finished?
When you have covered the core themes—childhood, work, traditions, challenges, and a few personal reflections—and the child feels satisfied with the length, the interview is complete. A final question like “Is there anything else you’d like to share?” signals the end.