Tonight with your 5 to 8 year old
The prompt
“What's something about you that's really different now compared to when you were little?”
What to listen for
If they can name something concrete, like being braver or better at reading, they have a clear, proud sense of their own growth over time, which builds real confidence.
If they say everything's the same, gently mention something you've noticed changing, sometimes kids need an outside mirror to see their own progress.
If they say "I don't know," ask about something they couldn't do as a baby that they can do now, something concrete and physical.
What this tells you
Recognizing their own change over time shows how much they see themselves as someone actively growing, not just staying the same.