Questions to ask Grandma about where she grew up
Good questions about where she grew up are specific and easy to picture, and they ask for a story rather than a fact. Start with: Where did you live when you were a kid? What was next door to your house? How did you get to school? Then let Grandma's answers lead to the next question.
How to ask so the stories keep coming
Ask one question per call, not ten. Follow up with "what happened next?" Write down the answers or record them (with permission): they're the start of a family story bank.
For grandkids ages 4 to 7
- Where did you live when you were a kid?
- What was next door to your house?
- How did you get to school?
For grandkids ages 8 to 12
- Where did you live when you were a kid?
- What was next door to your house?
- How did you get to school?
- What was the best place in your town?
- What did your street sound and smell like?
- If we visited your hometown, where would you take me first?
For grandkids ages 13+
- Where did you live when you were a kid?
- What was next door to your house?
- How did you get to school?
- What was the best place in your town?
- What did your street sound and smell like?
- If we visited your hometown, where would you take me first?
- How has your hometown changed since you were young?