Page 37 - Meeting with Children Book

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not answer you or accommodate what they think you
want to hear from them. In any case, you did not
achieve your goal of gaining the authentic ideas,
feelings and thoughts of the child. You did not follow
the language of the child. It does not mean that some
questions cannot be useful in helping you to
understand what the child is trying to express, but it
does speak to how direct will you be? How concrete?
Is the child able to hold uncomfortable thoughts and
feelings and put language to those feelings?

Important Considerations
 Be prepared to offer choices for expression. This
can include miniatures, projective cards,
drawing/art materials, doll houses, building
block, Lego, baby dolls etc.
 Have a process in mind – How will you begin?
 Have the child in mind – What did you learn from
hearing from others about the child?
 Stay away from seeking answers to ultimate
questions
 Stay curious: Who is this child? What is important
to this child?
 Make sure your questions remain “In” the
metaphor

This is not a Forensic Activity
What is the difference between learning about a
child’s thoughts, feelings and needs and conducting a
forensic interview? It is in the details of adult court-
related procedures. Forensic interviews demand
children to enter the adult world (whether