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Listening deeply to a child’s voice

Attention

Children are vulnerable when they are not visible.

Although babies and very young children will be unable to share their story with you, a child's experience can be understood in different ways—no matter what age they are.

Be curious and help children tell their story at their pace. Talk to them often, in multiple settings and with different people, to assess risk. You will not be able to understand how a child experiences life and their parent’s alcohol and other drugs use from just one interview.

Talk to children about all parts of their life, not just their parent’s alcohol and other drugs use. Get to know them—what they like and don’t like and what special talents they have.

Get to know a child:

  • through observation
  • through play, using engagement tools such as The Three Houses Tool 
  • by taking them out for a milkshake or going to somewhere they like, such as a skateboard park
  • by talking to them at a regular place and time.

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