You are in a classroom where a group of students has just finished recording a short interview with a grandparent about their childhood. The recorder sits on a table, a notebook lies open, and the children glance at the list of prompts you prepared. Turning that raw conversation into a concise article requires a clear set of questions, a way to keep the interview focused, and simple steps for processing and sharing the material. The following guide supplies a ready‑to‑use question bank and practical tips for each stage of the project.
Getting ready: relationship and setting
1. Who are you interviewing and how are you related? (e.g., grandmother, former teacher)
2. Where does the interview take place and why is it comfortable for both of you?
3. What time of day works best for the interviewee’s energy level?
4. How long should the interview last for a child interviewer? (suggest 15‑20 minutes)
5. Which recording device will you use and how will you test it beforehand?
6. Will you use a visual cue sheet to remind the child of each question?
7. How will you arrange seating to keep eye contact and reduce background noise?
8. What simple note‑taking method will the child use (e.g., colored stickers for important points)?
9. How will you explain the purpose of the interview to the interviewee in plain language?
10. What consent or permission form is needed for school projects?
11. How will you handle a situation where the interviewee becomes emotional? (pause, offer a break)
12. What backup plan exists if the recording device fails?
13. How will you keep the interview focused on the chosen theme? (use a one‑sentence reminder)
14. What visual aid (photo, object) can spark memories for the interviewee?
15. How will you thank the interviewee and let them know how the article will be used?
Starter questions for young interviewers
1. What is your favorite memory of when you were my age?
2. Can you tell me about the house you grew up in? (describe one room)
3. Who was your best friend as a child and what did you do together?
4. What games did you play after school?
5. What food did you love that you don’t eat much now?
6. How did you get to school each day? (walk, bus, bike)
7. What was a typical breakfast for you?
8. Did you have a pet? What was its name and a funny story?
9. What holiday tradition stands out most for you?
10. Who taught you to read or write?
11. What was a school subject you enjoyed and why?
12. Can you share a story about a teacher who made a big impression?
13. What was your favorite book or story as a child?
14. Did you ever travel somewhere special? What did you see?
15. What advice would you give to a kid your age today?
Family memories and daily life
1. Describe a typical weekday when you were a teenager.
2. What chores did you have at home and how did you feel about them?
3. Who prepared meals most often and what was a signature dish?
4. What family celebration do you remember most vividly?
5. How did you celebrate birthdays in your family?
6. What was a favorite family outing or trip?
7. Which family member influenced your values the most? (ask for a specific story)
8. What language or dialect did your family speak at home?
9. How did you keep in touch with relatives who lived far away?
10. What was a common joke or saying in your household?
11. Describe a time when the family faced a challenge and how you coped.
12. What piece of furniture or object holds special meaning for you?
13. How did you and your siblings (if any) resolve arguments?
14. What tradition from your childhood do you still practice?
15. What lesson did you learn from a family member that you still remember?
School, work, and community
1. What was the name of your first school and what did it look like?
2. Who was a teacher that inspired you and what did they do?
3. What extracurricular activity did you join and why?
4. Describe a memorable school project or event.
5. How did you decide on your first job after school?
6. What was your first paycheck like and what did you buy with it?
7. Who was a mentor at work and what advice did they give?
8. What community organization did you belong to and what role did you play?
9. How did you celebrate a work or community achievement?
10. What was a difficult decision you faced in your career and how did you resolve it?
11. Describe a day when you felt especially proud of your contribution.
12. What skill did you learn on the job that you still use?
13. How did you balance work and family responsibilities?
14. What change in your community has surprised you the most?
15. What advice would you give to someone starting a similar career path?
Reflecting on change and lessons
1. Looking back, what is one habit you wish you had started earlier?
2. What technology has changed the most since your youth?
3. How have your ideas about success evolved over time?
4. What event made you rethink an important belief?
5. Which mistake taught you the biggest lesson? (share the outcome)
6. What does “home” mean to you now compared to the past?
7. How do you stay connected with younger generations today?
8. What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?
9. What cultural shift has surprised you the most?
10. How have you adapted to a major life transition (e.g., retirement, moving)?
11. What story from your past do you think future generations should hear?
12. In what ways have you contributed to preserving family history?
13. What hope do you have for the next generation?
14. How do you define a good life after many years of experience?
15. What final thought would you like readers of this article to remember?
Worth remembering: Use the numbered prompts as a scaffold, let children record answers verbatim, and then guide them to pick the most vivid excerpts. The key is to keep the interview focused, handle unexpected emotions calmly, and involve the kids in sorting and summarising the material before creating a short, shareable article.
Common questions
What is the simplest way to start?
Begin by choosing a familiar adult—such as a grandparent or teacher—and a quiet space where both feel comfortable. Test a simple audio recorder, then hand the child a short list of 5‑10 starter questions to break the ice. A clear, concrete opening keeps the interview flowing and reduces nervousness.
What mistakes should I avoid?
Avoid asking abstract, multi‑part questions that can confuse a child interviewer. Do not rely on long, unstructured note‑taking; instead use visual cue cards or colored stickers. Skipping consent forms or ignoring an interviewee’s emotional signals can also cause problems later.
How do I know when the project is finished?
The project is complete when you have a concise article (300‑500 words) that includes a clear introduction, a few selected quotes, and a closing reflection, and when the interviewee has approved the final text. All recordings, notes, and consent forms should be archived in a shared folder for future reference.