diff --git a/rest_framework/serializers.py b/rest_framework/serializers.py
index d773902e8..4f853ed58 100644
--- a/rest_framework/serializers.py
+++ b/rest_framework/serializers.py
@@ -571,6 +571,13 @@ class ListSerializer(BaseSerializer):
         super(ListSerializer, self).bind(field_name, parent)
         self.partial = self.parent.partial
 
+    def get_child(self, instance=None, data=empty):
+        """
+        Hook to override retrieval of the child. By default, this returns the
+        child instance provided during initialization.
+        """
+        return self.child
+
     def get_initial(self):
         if hasattr(self, 'initial_data'):
             return self.to_representation(self.initial_data)
@@ -635,7 +642,7 @@ class ListSerializer(BaseSerializer):
 
         for item in data:
             try:
-                validated = self.child.run_validation(item)
+                validated = self.get_child(data=item).run_validation(item)
             except ValidationError as exc:
                 errors.append(exc.detail)
             else:
@@ -656,7 +663,7 @@ class ListSerializer(BaseSerializer):
         iterable = data.all() if isinstance(data, models.Manager) else data
 
         return [
-            self.child.to_representation(item) for item in iterable
+            self.get_child(instance=item).to_representation(item) for item in iterable
         ]
 
     def validate(self, attrs):
@@ -673,7 +680,7 @@ class ListSerializer(BaseSerializer):
 
     def create(self, validated_data):
         return [
-            self.child.create(attrs) for attrs in validated_data
+            self.get_child(data=attrs).create(attrs) for attrs in validated_data
         ]
 
     def save(self, **kwargs):