Abstract The present study examined children’s knowledge of legal terminology and perceptions of a separation scenario common in child custody evaluations. Participants included 114 elementary school students comprising three age groups ranging from seven to twelve years. Age differences emerged in children’s knowledge of eighteen legal terms, the nature of their errors, and amount of information provided in response to a separation scenario. Factors such as verbal skills and legal-related television programs/movies watching correlated with children’s understanding of custody-related terminology. Children were also able to provide reasons for a hypothetical child’s custody preference. Implications for future research and applications to court preparation and training of legal professionals are discussed.

中文翻译：

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儿童对监护相关术语的了解以及对父母分居情景的看法

摘要 本研究调查了儿童对法律术语的了解以及对儿童监护权评估中常见的分离情景的看法。参与者包括 114 名小学生，包括 7 至 12 岁的三个年龄组。年龄差异体现在儿童对 18 条法律术语的了解、错误的性质以及为应对分居情景而提供的信息量方面。语言技能和与法律相关的电视节目/电影观看等因素与儿童对监护相关术语的理解相关。儿童还能够为假设的儿童监护权偏好提供理由。讨论了未来研究和应用对法庭准备和法律专业人员培训的影响。