Interview Questions
1. Infancy (0-2 years)
a. First Moments & Early Life
- Can you tell me about the moment you found out you were going to be a parent? What was your first reaction?
- What was it like the first time you held your child? How did that moment make you feel?
- What did your baby look like when they were born? Was there anything about their appearance that surprised you?
b. Early Milestones
- When did your baby first smile, and how did that make you feel?
- What were some of the first sounds or words your child made?
- Do you remember the first time your baby rolled over, crawled, or walked? Can you describe that moment?
c. Parenting & Challenges
- What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during those first two years as a parent?
- What did you learn about yourself as a parent during the first few months of your baby’s life?
- How did you balance sleep, work, and baby care during those early months?
d. Family Impact
- How did your family react to the new addition? Were there any memorable moments with grandparents, aunts, or uncles?
- How did you prepare for the arrival of your baby? Did you have any special traditions or practices?
e. Reflecting on the Early Years
- What is your favorite memory from those first two years with your baby?
- If you had to describe your baby’s personality during this time, what would you say?
Interview Questions: Early Childhood (3-5 Years)
1. Introduction (5 Minutes)
- Can you tell me what you like to do every day? What’s your favorite part of your day?
- What makes you smile the most? Can you think of something that always makes you happy?
2. Family & Home Life (10 Minutes)
- What’s your house like? Can you tell me about the rooms or places in your home that you like the best?
- Who do you live with at home? What do you like to do together as a family?
- What’s something special you like to do with your parents or family members? Maybe a game or an activity you enjoy together?
- Do you have a favorite place in your home or outside that makes you feel really happy?
3. Play & Learning (10 Minutes)
- What do you like to do when you play? Do you have any favorite games or toys that you play with a lot?
- What’s something fun you’ve learned recently? Is there anything new you’ve been practicing or trying to do better?
- When you go to school or daycare, what’s the best part of your day? Do you have a favorite thing to do with your friends there?
4. Friends & Social Life (10 Minutes)
- Do you have any best friends or favorite people to play with? What do you like to do together?
- Can you tell me about a time when you helped a friend or when a friend helped you? How did that make you feel?
- What do you like most about playing with other kids? Is there something fun you do together?
5. Family Influence & Lessons (10 Minutes)
- What do your parents or caregivers teach you that makes you feel good about yourself?
- What’s something you’re really good at that your family is proud of?
- What’s the best thing your family does for you to help you feel safe or happy?
6. Looking Back (5 Minutes)
- What’s something you really like about being your age? What makes you happy about being 3, 4, or 5 years old?
- If you could tell other kids your age one thing that you think is really fun, what would it be?
Interview Questions: Middle Childhood (6-11 Years)
1. Introduction (5 Minutes)
- What’s a typical day for you like? What do you like to do the most during your day?
- When you’re not at school, what’s your favorite thing to do? What’s something that makes you the happiest?
2. Family & Home Life (10 Minutes)
- What’s your home like? Can you tell me about your room or your favorite place to hang out at home?
- Who do you live with? What do you all like to do together as a family?
- Are there any fun traditions or things you do as a family that you look forward to?
- What’s something you’ve done recently with your family that was really fun?
3. School & Learning (10 Minutes)
- What’s your favorite subject in school? Why do you like it so much?
- What’s something new or fun you’ve learned at school recently?
- When you’re at school, what’s the best part of your day? Do you have a favorite thing to do at recess or lunchtime?
- How do you feel about homework? Is there a subject you like to work on the most?
4. Friends & Social Life (10 Minutes)
- Who are your best friends? What do you like to do when you’re together?
- Can you tell me about a time when you helped a friend or when a friend helped you? How did that make you feel?
- Do you remember a fun time you had at a birthday party, playdate, or other event with your friends?
- What’s your favorite thing to do with your friends after school or on weekends?
5. Hobbies & Interests (10 Minutes)
- What’s something you really love to do for fun? Do you have a favorite hobby, sport, or activity that you enjoy doing a lot?
- Is there a game or sport you want to get better at? How are you working on getting better at it?
- What’s your favorite book, movie, or TV show right now? Why do you like it?
- If you could spend the whole day doing anything you love, what would you do?
6. Growth & Change (5 Minutes)
- What’s something you’ve learned to do recently that you’re really proud of?
- Is there something new you can do now that you couldn’t do when you were younger? How does it feel to have learned that?
- Looking at yourself now, how do you think you’ve changed since you were younger? What do you think you’ll be like when you’re older?
7. Looking Ahead (5 Minutes)
- What’s something you’re excited to do in the next few years? Is there something you can’t wait to try or learn?
- Do you have a big dream or something you want to be when you grow up? What do you want to do when you’re older?
Interview Questions: Adolescence (12-18 Years)
1. Introduction (5 Minutes)
- What’s a typical day like for you? What’s the part of your day you look forward to the most?
- How do you feel about the things you’re involved in right now—school, hobbies, friends? What’s something that’s really important to you at this stage of life?
2. School & Learning (10 Minutes)
- What’s your favorite subject in school, and why does it stand out to you? How do you feel about the subjects you’re studying right now?
- How do you manage balancing school, homework, and other activities? Is there something that helps you stay on top of everything?
- What’s something you’ve learned recently, either in or out of school, that made you see things in a new way?
- If you could change anything about your school experience, what would it be, and why?
3. Friendships & Social Life (10 Minutes)
- Who are the people that make you feel supported and understood? Can you tell me about a friend who has made a big difference in your life?
- How do you handle conflicts with friends or family members? Is there something you’ve learned about yourself from those moments?
- When you think about your friendships, what qualities do you value most in the people you surround yourself with?
- How do you feel about the social media world and how it affects your friendships? Do you think it’s something that brings people closer or pulls them apart?
4. Personal Growth & Self-Discovery (10 Minutes)
- How do you see yourself right now—how would you describe who you are, your values, or the things you care about most?
- Is there a moment in the past few years when you learned something really important about yourself? What changed after that moment?
- Have you ever felt like you were trying to be someone else, or maybe trying to figure out who you really want to be? How did that affect you?
- When you think about your future, what are you most excited about? What kind of person do you want to be when you’re older?
5. Challenges & Overcoming Obstacles (10 Minutes)
- What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced in the past couple of years, and how did you get through it?
- Have there been moments when you felt really uncertain about something—your future, friendships, school? How did you deal with that uncertainty?
- What do you think has been the hardest thing about growing up so far? Do you think you’ve learned anything surprising from those hard moments?
- How do you stay motivated when things feel tough? Is there something that helps you push through challenges, even when they seem big?
6. Dreams & Future Aspirations (10 Minutes)
- When you imagine your future, what do you see yourself doing? Are there things you want to accomplish in the next few years that you’re really excited about?
- If you could do anything—no limits—what would you choose to do with your life? How do you think you could make that happen?
- What’s something you really want to achieve, whether in school, your personal life, or your future career, and why does that matter to you?
- Do you have any role models or people who inspire you? What about them makes you want to be like them?
7. Looking Back & Looking Forward (5 Minutes)
- Thinking about your teenage years, what’s one thing you want to remember about this time when you’re older?
- If you could give advice to someone younger than you, maybe 10 or 12 years old, what would you say to help them through their own journey?
- What do you hope the next few years will bring you, and what are you most excited to see happen in your life?
- Looking ahead, what are you most proud of so far, and what do you want to achieve next?
Interview Questions: Early Adulthood (19-40 Years)
1. Introduction (5 Minutes)
- Can you describe what your typical day looks like right now? How do you spend your time, and what parts of your day feel the most fulfilling?
- When you think about where you are today, how do you feel about the journey you’ve taken to get here? What’s something that stands out to you?
2. Career & Professional Life (10 Minutes)
- What did you imagine your career would look like when you were younger, and how does your current path compare to that vision?
- Have you experienced any big career shifts or turning points that changed the direction of your work? How did those moments shape you?
- What’s the most rewarding part of your work right now, and what keeps you motivated to keep going?
- Looking back, is there anything you wish you had known about work or your career when you were just starting out?
3. Relationships & Family (10 Minutes)
- How do you feel your relationships with family and friends have changed as you’ve gotten older? Are there any key moments that shifted those dynamics?
- If you’re in a romantic relationship, how has it shaped you or helped you grow as a person? If not, what do you think you’re learning from the process of figuring out relationships?
- How do you maintain your friendships now, and what’s changed about the way you connect with people over the years?
- Have you found a balance between maintaining close connections with family or friends and also carving out time for yourself?
4. Personal Growth & Self-Discovery (10 Minutes)
- What’s something you’ve learned about yourself in the past few years that has completely shifted how you see the world or approach your life?
- Looking at who you are today, how do you feel you’ve changed since you were in your late teens or early 20s? What are the biggest differences you notice?
- Have you faced any challenges in discovering who you are or what you want in life? How did you handle those moments of doubt or uncertainty?
- What values or principles have become most important to you now? How did they evolve, and why do they matter?
5. Challenges & Overcoming Obstacles (10 Minutes)
- What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your 20s or 30s, and what did you learn from it that you didn’t expect?
- How did you navigate any major setbacks or disappointments in this phase of life? Looking back, what would you tell someone going through the same thing?
- Has there been a defining moment or turning point that taught you something about resilience or strength that you didn’t know you had?
- When things felt uncertain or overwhelming, how did you keep going? What got you through those tough times?
6. Dreams & Future Aspirations (10 Minutes)
- When you think about the next decade, what do you hope to achieve, whether in your career, personal life, or beyond?
- Is there a dream or goal that you’ve had for a while that you’re actively working toward? What excites you the most about it?
- Looking at the person you are today, what’s the next version of you going to look like? How do you see yourself evolving in the future?
- What’s something you hope to be remembered for or to pass down to future generations? How are you working toward that now?
7. Looking Back & Reflection (5 Minutes)
- If you could go back and give your 19-year-old self some advice, what would you say to help them navigate the challenges ahead?
- What’s the one piece of wisdom you’ve learned in your 20s and 30s that you wish you had understood when you were younger?
- When you look back on your life so far, what are you most proud of? How has that shaped the path you want to take moving forward?
- What’s one thing about your life right now that you’re most grateful for?
Interview Questions: Middle Adulthood (41-65 Years)
1. Introduction (5 Minutes)
- When you think about where you are in life right now, how would you describe this stage? What stands out to you most about being in your 40s, 50s, and 60s?
- What are the things you value most today, and how have they changed from when you were younger?
2. Career & Professional Life (10 Minutes)
- Looking back, how do you feel about your career and professional life so far? What are you most proud of?
- Have there been any big shifts or changes in your career during your 40s and 50s? How did you adapt to them?
- Many people start to think about leaving a lasting impact in middle adulthood. What do you want your professional legacy to be?
- How has your idea of success evolved over the years? Does it still align with the way you viewed it in your younger years?
3. Family & Relationships (10 Minutes)
- What has changed the most about your relationships with your children, spouse, or family over the years? How do you maintain those connections today?
- At this stage in life, how do you balance family obligations with your own personal goals or needs?
- Have you experienced any major shifts in your social circles—maybe growing closer to certain friends or having to let go of relationships that no longer serve you?
- Is there a family tradition or practice that has been particularly important to you during these years? Why?
4. Health & Wellness (10 Minutes)
- How have you approached your health in your 40s and 50s? Have there been changes to the way you take care of your body or mind?
- Have you faced any health challenges during middle adulthood that have reshaped the way you live your life?
- As your body changes, how have you adjusted your daily routines or activities to stay healthy and feel good about yourself?
- How do you maintain your mental and emotional well-being in the midst of life’s demands? Have you discovered anything new about stress management or self-care?
5. Personal Growth & Reflection (10 Minutes)
- When you think back on your life so far, what are the key lessons you’ve learned? How do they guide your decisions today?
- Are there moments from your 40s and 50s that stand out as defining or transformative? What changed for you during those years?
- Looking at the person you are today, how do you feel you’ve grown or evolved from the person you were in your 20s and 30s?
- What does personal fulfillment look like for you now? How has your sense of purpose changed as you’ve gotten older?
6. Challenges & Resilience (10 Minutes)
- What’s the most challenging experience you’ve gone through in your middle years, and what did you learn from it?
- Life often presents unexpected challenges. How did you navigate difficult moments in your 40s and 50s—whether personal, professional, or health-related?
- Is there a specific moment when you felt truly resilient, something that gave you confidence in handling future challenges?
- How has your relationship with failure or disappointment changed over time? Do you view setbacks differently now than you did when you were younger?
7. Legacy & Future Aspirations (5 Minutes)
- When you think about your legacy, what’s the most important thing you want to leave behind for your children or future generations?
- As you look ahead, what goals or dreams do you still have for the coming years? Is there anything you’re particularly excited to experience or achieve?
- How do you want to be remembered by those who know you—what do you want your impact to be, both personally and professionally?
- What do you hope for the next chapter of your life, and how do you plan to make it meaningful?
Interview Questions: Late Adulthood (66+ Years)
1. Introduction (5 Minutes)
- Looking at your life now, how do you feel about where you are today? What stands out to you about this stage of life?
- When you reflect on the past, is there a certain moment or period that you often think back to with fondness? What makes it so memorable for you?
2. Life Journey & Reflection (10 Minutes)
- If you could describe your life as a story, what would be the main chapters or turning points that shaped who you are today?
- When you think back on your younger years, is there something you wish you had done differently, or something you’re particularly proud of?
- What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned throughout your life that have stayed with you?
- How did you navigate some of the biggest challenges in your life? What helped you stay resilient through those moments?
3. Family & Relationships (10 Minutes)
- How have your relationships with your children, grandchildren, or other family members evolved over the years? What stands out to you most about those changes?
- What do you think is the most important thing about family and relationships as you get older? What has become more meaningful over time?
- Looking back, is there a moment with your children, spouse, or friends that you’ll always carry with you? What made that moment special?
- How do you feel about the role you play within your family today? What do you hope your legacy will be for your family?
4. Health & Wellness (10 Minutes)
- As you’ve gotten older, how has your approach to health and wellness changed? Is there something new you’ve learned about taking care of yourself?
- What have been some of the most surprising things about aging that you didn’t expect when you were younger?
- How have you adjusted to the changes in your body and mind as you’ve aged? What have you learned from those changes?
- What has been the most rewarding part of growing older, and what challenges have you found to be the hardest to navigate?
5. Wisdom & Life Lessons (10 Minutes)
- Looking back, what do you think has been the most important thing in living a good life? What values or principles have guided you through your years?
- What’s the best piece of advice you would give to younger generations about living life to its fullest?
- As you reflect on your life, are there any moments or experiences that stand out as particularly life-changing? How did they shape your path?
- What do you want future generations to understand about the journey of life, the challenges, and the rewards that come with it?
6. Legacy & Future (10 Minutes)
- If you were to look back at the story of your life, what do you hope people will remember most about you and your journey?
- What do you hope your children, grandchildren, or others in your life learn from your experiences and the lessons you’ve shared with them?
- Looking ahead, how do you want to spend your remaining years? What do you still hope to experience or accomplish?
- How do you feel about the future, and what message would you want to leave for the world or future generations?
7. Looking Back & Looking Forward (5 Minutes)
- If you could relive one moment from your life, what moment would you choose, and why is it so important to you?
- What are you most proud of in your life, and how has that shaped the person you’ve become?
- Looking ahead, what’s one thing you hope will change in the world for future generations? What kind of world do you hope to see?
- If you could leave one final piece of advice for the world, what would it be?
Interview Questions: All Ages (3-5, 6-11, 12-18, 19-40, 41-65, 66+)
1. Introduction (All Ages)
- 3-5 Years: What’s something that makes you smile every day?
- 6-11 Years: What do you like to do when you’re not at school? Is there something you do that makes you feel really happy or proud?
- 12-18 Years: How would you describe your life right now? What’s something important to you at this stage?
- 19-40 Years: When you think about your life so far, what’s one thing that stands out as a big change or milestone?
- 41-65 Years: How do you feel about this stage in your life? What do you find yourself focusing on more than ever?
- 66+ Years: When you look back on your life, what’s the one thing that stands out as a defining moment for you?
2. Growth & Change (All Ages)
- 3-5 Years: Is there something new you can do now that you couldn’t do before? How does it feel to learn something new?
- 6-11 Years: What’s something you’ve learned recently that made you feel proud of yourself?
- 12-18 Years: How have you changed over the past few years? What’s something you’ve learned about yourself as you’ve gotten older?
- 19-40 Years: Looking back on your journey, how have your dreams or goals changed over time? What’s been the biggest shift in how you see the world?
- 41-65 Years: How has your perspective on life, work, or relationships changed over the years? What lessons do you carry with you now?
- 66+ Years: When you look back at how you’ve changed over the years, what are the biggest things you’ve learned about yourself and life?
3. Relationships (All Ages)
- 3-5 Years: Who do you like to spend time with the most? What do you enjoy doing together?
- 6-11 Years: Who is your best friend, and what do you love doing with them? How do you feel when you help a friend or they help you?
- 12-18 Years: How have your friendships changed as you’ve gotten older? What’s the most important quality you look for in friends?
- 19-40 Years: How have your relationships with family and friends changed as you’ve become more independent? What does family mean to you now?
- 41-65 Years: How have your relationships evolved over time? Are there any important lessons you’ve learned about love and friendship?
- 66+ Years: How do you feel about the relationships you’ve built throughout your life? What do you hope to pass on to your children or grandchildren?
4. Dreams & Future (All Ages)
- 3-5 Years: What do you want to be when you grow up? What’s something you hope to do one day?
- 6-11 Years: If you could do anything in the future, what would it be? What are you excited to learn more about as you grow up?
- 12-18 Years: What are your dreams for the future? Is there something you’re really passionate about that you want to pursue?
- 19-40 Years: When you think about the future, what excites you the most? What are the goals you’re working towards right now?
- 41-65 Years: Looking ahead, what are you most excited to accomplish in the coming years? How do you envision your next chapter?
- 66+ Years: How do you see the future unfolding? What hopes do you have for the younger generations or the world?
5. Challenges & Strengths (All Ages)
- 3-5 Years: What’s something that’s hard for you to do, and how do you feel when you keep trying to get better at it?
- 6-11 Years: Have you ever faced a challenge at school or with friends? How did you feel about it, and what did you learn from it?
- 12-18 Years: What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far, and what helped you get through it? How did it change you?
- 19-40 Years: Everyone faces challenges in life. What has been one of the toughest moments for you, and how did you handle it?
- 41-65 Years: Life brings challenges, and it’s often about how we respond. What has been one of your biggest obstacles, and what did you learn from it?
- 66+ Years: Looking back, what were some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced, and how did you find the strength to overcome them?
6. Legacy & Impact (All Ages)
- 3-5 Years: If you could tell someone about your favorite memory, what would you share? What would you want them to remember about you?
- 6-11 Years: What do you hope people remember about you when you’re older? Is there something you want to teach others?
- 12-18 Years: What do you want your impact to be on the world? What do you hope to leave behind when you grow older?
- 19-40 Years: As you think about the legacy you want to create, what do you hope to be known for, whether in your career or personal life?
- 41-65 Years: What kind of legacy do you want to leave for your family or community? How do you want to be remembered?
- 66+ Years: As you reflect on your life, what do you hope your legacy will be? What do you want future generations to know about you and your story?