Tonight with your 5 to 8 year old
The prompt
“If every single day was dress-up day, what costume would you wear tomorrow and why that one?”
What to listen for
If they pick something powerful or magical, they may be enjoying imagining a version of themselves with more control or specialness than they feel they have in daily life, totally normal and healthy play.
If they pick something funny or silly, notice how much they light up, that's often just pure joy and love of being seen making people laugh, which is its own kind of connection.
If they say "I don't know," ask what costume they'd never want to wear, sometimes the opposite question unlocks the answer.
What this tells you
Their costume pick is a peek into who they wish to be seen as right now.