ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we discuss the assumptions that adults make when speaking to each other, and how those assumptions may be inappropriate, and even harmful, if they are carried over into conversations with children. We recommend that, in any interview of a child, the child's comprehension of word meanings be established, that the complexity of sentences be tailored to the child's level of understanding, that the child's comprehension of questions be monitored, and that a structure be provided for the child's report.
