Family Story Archive
Child prepares questions, interviews a relative, and records the family story, practising planning and active listening.
- Age8 to 12 years
- Time30 to 60 minutes
- EnergyCalm
- CostFree
- WhereIndoors
- Prep5 min
Your child prepares a few questions, sits down to interview a relative about their life, and keeps a record of the stories they hear.
How to do it
- Help your child choose a relative to interview and think of a handful of open questions, such as what they liked doing as a child.
- Set up a comfortable time to talk, in person or by video call, and let your child lead the asking.
- Encourage them to listen and ask a follow-up when something sounds interesting, rather than racing to the next question.
- Keep a record in whatever way suits, such as jotting notes, drawing a moment, or making an audio recording with the relative's okay.
- Afterwards, look back over the record together and let your child share one story they loved.
What you need
- Paper and pencil
- Audio device
Signs it is working
Your child prepares questions ahead rather than freezing on the spot. They listen and ask at least one unplanned follow-up. They can retell a story they heard. They want to keep the record
If it is not quite clicking
Child is shy about asking: Let them read questions from their list to start, and warm up with the easiest one. The relative gives very short answers: Coach your child to ask what happened next or how that felt. A question touches something sad or private: Let the relative pass, and move gently to a lighter question
Make it yours
Younger, 6 to 8 years: Three simple questions and an adult helping take notes. Older, 10 to 12 years: A longer set of questions, follow-ups, and a written or recorded piece that becomes part of a family collection. Siblings: They can interview together, taking turns to ask and to record
Try this with your child.
Tell PLAI™ about your child and this moment. It shapes the activity to fit.
Try it in the app