Tonight with your 5 to 8 year old
The prompt
“If I handed you a hundred dollars right this second, what's the very first thing you'd do with it?”
What to listen for
If they go straight to buying a toy or treat for themselves, that's normal at this age and it's fine, it just tells you where their imagination goes first. If they mention buying something for a sibling, friend, or you, notice how quickly that came to mind; it's a small sign they feel connected and want to include others in their good luck.
If they build an elaborate plan (saving some, spending some, giving some), that shows a kind of thinking-ahead confidence, they feel capable of managing something big. If they say they'd give it all away or buy something for the family instead of themselves, that can mean they feel most secure when everyone's taken care of, not just them.
If they say "I don't know," try "okay, no rules, just pretend", some kids freeze because they think there's a right answer. Let them play with it out loud.
What this tells you
How a child spends imaginary money is a peek into whether they feel like there's enough to go around, or whether they're already thinking about others before themselves.