What is a common challenge when interviewing children?

When interviewing children, one of the notable challenges is their limited vocabulary and understanding. This can impact the quality and accuracy of the information they provide. Due to their developmental stage, children may not have a comprehensive grasp of language, which can make it difficult for them to articulate their thoughts or experiences clearly. Their use of simpler words or phrases may lead to misunderstandings or incomplete answers, potentially hindering the interview process and the subsequent analysis of their statements.

In contrast, while children do often respond well to open-ended questions, it is this very condition of their language ability that can make such questioning challenging. A tendency to talk too much may arise, but it often comes from an eagerness to communicate rather than a robust understanding of the questions posed. Although children can show remarkable memory recall, it is not uncommon for their accuracy to be influenced by their developmental capacity, emotional state, or understanding of the situation being discussed. Thus, addressing their limited vocabulary and understanding is crucial for effective communication and accurate data collection.