Tonight with your 5 to 8 year old
The prompt
“What's something you want to be a lot better at by this time next year?”
What to listen for
If they name something concrete and seem excited about it, they have real, forward-looking confidence in their own ability to grow, which is worth celebrating.
If they pick something surprisingly ambitious, that's them stretching toward being seen as more capable, and deserves genuine encouragement rather than a reality check.
If they say "I don't know," ask what they wish came easier to them right now, as a gentler way into the same idea.
What this tells you
What they hope to improve by next year shows where they're currently placing their hope for their own growth.