Tonight with your 5 to 8 year old
The prompt
“What's one little step you took today toward something you're working on getting better at?”
What to listen for
If they can name a specific step, even a small one, they're building a real sense that effort adds up, that they're capable of growing, not just stuck being however they already are.
If they struggle to see any progress or say they didn't do anything, gently point out something small you noticed, this helps them learn to see their own effort instead of only noticing what's still hard.
If they say "I don't know," ask about something they're practicing, like reading or a sport, to jog their memory.
What this tells you
This tells you whether they currently see themselves as someone who is growing, or someone who feels stuck.