Tonight with your 13 to 17 year old
The prompt
“Is there a creative project you've started just to see where it goes, no real plan for it?”
What to listen for
If they describe something open-ended and self-directed, that's a sign they're comfortable creating without needing a guaranteed outcome, they need that freedom protected, not turned into a project with deadlines.
If they seem shy about sharing details, don't push for a preview, they need to know it's theirs until they're ready to show it, if ever.
If they say no, ask what they'd make if they had a free afternoon with zero expectations, sometimes that unlocks something they hadn't said out loud yet.
What this tells you
A project with no set plan shows you where their curiosity is free to wander without needing to prove anything.