Perry Praised for Kid Interview Skills: A Grown-Up's Guide to Talking to Little Ones
Okay, so, full disclosure: I'm not Perry. I wish I was! Perry's apparently some kind of interviewing whiz kid – the kid interviewer, get it? – who's totally blowing up the internet with his amazing skills. I, on the other hand, am just a regular schmo who's learned a thing or two the hard way about talking to kids. And let me tell you, it ain't always rainbows and sunshine.
My Epic Fail (and What I Learned From It)
Remember when I tried to interview my niece, Lily, for her 7th birthday? Total disaster. I'd planned these amazing questions – sophisticated stuff about her dreams and aspirations. I was going for a mini-Oprah moment, you know? Instead, I got a five-minute monologue about her obsession with unicorns and a very pointed, "Are we done yet?" Ouch. My carefully crafted interview turned into a cringe-worthy mess.
The problem? I completely forgot who I was talking to. I was speaking way over her head. Kids don't think and talk like adults. And that's okay! It's a superpower to be able to listen to them and understand their viewpoint.
So, What's Perry Doing Right? (And How Can You Too?)
I've been watching Perry's interviews, and the dude's got some serious game. He's not trying to be a grown-up; he's engaging with kids on their level. That's the key, folks.
Here's what I've picked up:
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Keep it Simple: Ditch the jargon and the complicated sentences. Think short, simple questions. "What's your favorite color?" is way more effective than "Describe your emotional connection to your favorite chromatic hue." Trust me.
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Active Listening is Key: Don't just wait for your turn to talk. Pay attention to what they say, how they say it, and their body language. It's like listening to a song – catch the rhythm and melody of their story. My mistake with Lily was that I was too focused on my own agenda.
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Get Down to Their Level (Literally!): Kneel down, sit on the floor – whatever it takes to make eye contact and show that you're present. It shows you respect their space and what they have to say.
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Let Them Lead: The interview should be a conversation, not an interrogation. Follow their lead – if they want to talk about their pet hamster for five minutes, let them. You might be surprised by what you learn. Remember when Lily talked about her unicorn? It actually led to a really heart-felt conversation about her imagination.
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Embrace the Silliness: Kids are funny! Don't be afraid to be silly or playful. A little laughter goes a long way. A good giggle can really break the ice. I should have told Lily a joke or two!
Beyond the Basics: Boosting Your Kid Interview Game
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Practice Makes Perfect: Try interviewing a friend's kid or even a stuffed animal. It's a great way to practice your skills without the pressure of a real interview.
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Research (Sort Of): You don't need to become a child psychologist. But knowing a little bit about the child's interests beforehand can help you tailor your questions.
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Respect Their Boundaries: If a child seems uncomfortable, don't push it. It's more important to build trust than to get the perfect quote. That's a lesson I learned the hard way – never force a child to answer.
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Capture the Magic: Don't forget to record your interview! I'm kicking myself for not filming Lily's interview. It might have been a train wreck, but it would have been a hilarious one.
Perry's success isn't just about luck; it’s about understanding the power of genuine connection. He gets it. Now you can too! And if you try out these tips, let me know how it goes. Maybe we can even compare notes (and learn from each other's mistakes!). Because let's face it, even Perry probably messed up a few times.