You step into a kitchen where a parent is helping a child set up a small recorder on the table. The child watches the screen, waiting for a simple question to ask. In a classroom setting, a teacher may pair students with grandparents, cousins, or neighbors, choosing a quiet corner and a clear prompt. The goal is to keep questions short, use visual cues when possible, and avoid abstract topics that can confuse younger interviewers. Recording can be done with a phone, a tablet app, or a notebook, and any surprising or upsetting answer should be handled calmly, with a brief pause and a gentle redirection.
Choosing a Person and Setting
1. Who in your family or community knows a story you have never heard? (Why do you think they would enjoy sharing it?)
2. Where does this person feel most comfortable talking? (Is it a living room, a garden, or a kitchen?)
3. What time of day works best for a short interview? (Morning, afternoon, or evening?)
4. How long should each interview segment last for a child interviewer? (Aim for five minutes or less.)
5. What simple visual aid can you bring to help the interviewee recall details? (A photo, a map, or a favorite object?)
6. Which room in the house has the least background noise? (Consider closing doors or windows.)
7. How many people should be present during the interview? (Usually just the interviewer and interviewee.)
8. What is a quick way to test the recording device before starting? (Record a one‑second clap.)
9. How can you signal the end of a question without interrupting the story? (Raise a hand or show a cue card.)
10. What simple rule can you give the interviewee about staying on topic? (Answer one question at a time.)
11. Which seating arrangement encourages eye contact? (Sit across a small table.)
12. How can you make the interview space feel safe for sharing personal memories? (Offer a drink or a comfortable chair.)
13. What short phrase can you use to ask for clarification without sounding critical? (Can you tell me more about that?)
14. How many follow‑up prompts are appropriate for a single answer? (One or two, then move on.)
15. What is a polite way to pause if the interviewee becomes emotional? (Take a breath and ask if they’d like a moment.)
Early Childhood and Family Roots
1. What is the earliest memory you have of a family celebration? (What sounds or smells do you recall?)
2. Which family tradition did you enjoy most as a child? (Who started it?)
3. Who taught you how to play your first game or sport? (What was the first rule you learned?)
4. What was your favorite place to visit with grandparents? (What made it special?)
5. Which holiday did you look forward to each year? (What food was always on the table?)
6. What story did your parents tell you about their own childhood? (How did it influence you?)
7. Which family member’s voice do you remember most clearly? (What did they often say?)
8. What was the first job you did for money? (How did you feel when you earned it?)
9. Which photograph in the house means the most to you? (What moment does it capture?)
10. What piece of clothing or toy did you keep for a long time? (Why was it important?)
11. Which neighborhood street holds a special memory? (What happened there?)
12. What was a typical bedtime routine in your home? (Who helped you?)
13. Which song reminds you of a family gathering? (Who sang it?)
14. What lesson did you learn from a mistake as a child? (Who helped you understand it?)
15. Which family recipe do you remember learning? (What step was hardest?)
School, Hobbies, and Community
1. What subject did you enjoy most in school and why? (Who was the teacher?)
2. Which club or activity did you join outside of class? (What was your role?)
3. What was your first book that made you want to read more? (Who recommended it?)
4. Which community event did you look forward to each year? (What did you do there?)
5. What was a memorable field trip you took? (What surprised you?)
6. Who was a mentor or coach who influenced you? (What advice did they give?)
7. Which sport or game did you play with friends after school? (What was the most exciting moment?)
8. What project or assignment are you proud of? (What made it stand out?)
9. Which local place did you visit often as a teen? (What did you do there?)
10. What was a favorite weekend activity with family? (Who organized it?)
11. Which teacher’s lesson still sticks with you? (What was the key point?)
12. What hobby did you start on your own? (What tools did you need?)
13. Which neighborhood friend did you spend the most time with? (What games did you play?)
14. What was a challenge you faced at school and how did you overcome it? (Who helped you?)
15. Which community service or volunteer work did you do? (What impact did it have?)
Values, Decisions, and Reflections
1. What decision in your life do you consider the most important? (What factors influenced it?)
2. Which value was emphasized most in your household? (How did it shape your choices?)
3. What moment made you realize the meaning of perseverance? (Who was with you?)
4. Which mistake taught you a lasting lesson? (What did you change afterward?)
5. What advice would you give to someone your age now? (What experience backs it up?)
6. Which event caused you to rethink a long‑held belief? (What changed your view?)
7. What accomplishment are you most proud of? (Why does it matter?)
8. Which person’s story inspired you to pursue a new path? (What part resonated?)
9. What tradition do you hope future generations will keep? (Why is it important?)
10. Which challenge did you face later in life that felt similar to an earlier one? (How did you handle it differently?)
11. What does “home” mean to you now? (How has that definition shifted?)
12. Which piece of advice you received as a child still guides you? (Who gave it?)
13. What moment of kindness do you remember most? (Who was involved?)
14. Which personal habit have you kept since youth? (What keeps it alive?)
15. What hope do you have for the next generation of your family? (How would you like it expressed?)
Starter Questions for Young Interviewers
1. What is your favorite story about this person? (Can you tell it in three sentences?)
2. How does this person make you laugh? (What joke do they tell?)
3. What is one thing you learned from them that you use every day? (How do you use it?)
4. Which food do you both enjoy together? (What’s the special recipe?)
5. What is a place you both like to visit? (What do you do there?)
6. How does this person help you when you feel sad? (What do they say?)
7. What is a game you play together? (What are the rules?)
8. Which holiday tradition do you share? (What part do you prepare?)
9. What is a favorite song you both sing? (What words stand out?)
10. How does this person celebrate your birthday? (What surprise do they plan?)
11. What is a skill they taught you? (How did they show you?)
12. Which picture of them do you keep on your wall? (What memory does it hold?)
13. What is a funny mistake you both made? (What happened after?)
14. How does this person help you with school work? (What tip do they give?)
15. What is a question you still want to ask them? (Why does it matter to you?)
Worth remembering: Keep each question short, concrete, and tied to a specific memory or object; use visual prompts, pause for follow‑ups, and record with a simple device. After the interview, let the child note what surprised them, then compile the stories into a shared archive or booklet.
Common questions
What is the simplest way to start?
Begin with a clear, concrete prompt such as “Can you tell me about a favorite family celebration?” and make sure the recording device is tested with a quick sound check before the interview.
What mistakes should I avoid?
Avoid long, abstract questions, leading the interviewee, and recording in noisy environments. Also, do not try to interpret answers yourself; let the child note what they hear and ask simple follow‑ups.
How do I know when the project is finished?
When each interviewee has answered the core set of 15‑20 themed questions, the recordings are saved, and the children have reflected on what surprised them, the material is ready for archiving or creating a booklet.