Tonight with your 5 to 8 year old
The prompt
“If we did a puppet show right now, what should the story be about?”
What to listen for
If they invent a whole plot with characters and a problem to solve, they're showing off strong storytelling instincts and enjoying being the director of their own world.
If the story involves family members as characters, that's them working through real feelings or relationships in a safe, playful, pretend space.
If they say "I don't know," offer a simple starting line, like "once upon a time, a sock puppet was late for school..." and let them take it from there.
What this tells you
The story they invent for a puppet show often reveals what's really on their mind, dressed up in a safe, playful disguise.