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Getting Kids to Tell You Amazing Stuff

By Laura Sessions Stepp

When You're Talking to Kids...

Introduce the subject in a general way, as if you were a fifth-grader trying to understand why seventh-graders make such a fuss over boy/girl parties.

Play dumb (because often, you are). “I heard that one thing kids do is…. Have I got that right? What does that mean?”

Be willing to share your experiences of the Stone Age – but briefly, please, and with humor.

Be patient. If you show the least little sign of wanting to leave – looking at your watch, for example – your easily tongue-tied subject may panic and go into his or her “I dunno” response mode.

Do the interview in person and give your subject your full attention. It’s such a rare event, kids fall for it every time. 

And What About Parents’ Permission? How Do You Get That?

Tell why you decided to do this story, playing on concerns you both share. If appropriate, you could say something like, “As a parent of a 14-year-old, I …,” or “As someone who has nieces and nephews this age, I….”

Entice them with a couple of tidbits you’ve learned from other kids.

Explain the social significance of the story. Show clearly how their child can be helpful. Give them some sample questions you intend to ask.

If they seem reluctant or nervous, offer to let them know how you’re going to use their child’s quotes.

Interview the child away from parents if at all possible. If asked, fill parents in later.

Laura Sessions Stepp, of The Washington Post, has written extensively on young people, sex and love.