What type of questions should be avoided when interviewing children?

When interviewing children, it's crucial to avoid leading questions, as these can influence the child's responses and potentially distort their recollection of events. Leading questions are phrased in a way that suggests a particular answer or encourages the child to respond in a certain manner. This can result in the child feeling pressured to provide the answer that is implied by the question, rather than sharing their genuine and independent recollection of events.

In contrast, open-ended questions are encouraged, as they allow the child to express themselves freely without steering them toward a specific response. Clarifying questions can aid in understanding the child's statements without imposing any bias. Closed questions, while sometimes necessary for specific details, do not provide the same depth of information and can limit the child's ability to offer their full perspective. By focusing on neutral, open-ended interactions, interviewers can ensure that children's accounts are as accurate and unbiased as possible.