Interview with a Child/Adolescent

Select a child or adolescent to interview. Please make sure you get permission from the parent or guardian prior to conducting the interview.

The interview should start with background information and interests for the child. The interview should then move toward goals. What does the child want? To be? To go in life?

Can you help the child envision this destination and then work on objectives to meet these goals? Write about your interview in a reflective paper about the child and the interview process. What did you learn?

4 pages and in APA format.

Interviews will look different depending on the age level you select to work with.

The purpose of the discussion is to gain experience speaking and working with a child or adolescent. Keep in mind it is the PROCESS that is important, not the PRODUCT of what you do during the discussion.

You will have a chance to speak with a child or do an activity (depending on developmental level of child or what you select).

Directions for children under 9: Begin with commenting on what the child is doing or how they appear (happy, sad, nervous, wearing red shoes, etc.).

Begin with finding out what the child likes to do. What is his or her favorite thing to play.

Ask them who do they like to play with, where do they like to play. When do they get to play and how do they feel when they get to play or don't get to play.

Directions for children over 9: Begin with background information and interests for the child. The interview should then move toward goals.

What does the child want? To be? To go in life?

Can you help the child envision this destination and then work on objectives to meet these goals?

Write about your interview in a reflective paper about the child and the interview process. What did you learn?