Tonight with your 5 to 8 year old
The prompt
“Do you have a joke you've been dying to try out on us tonight?”
What to listen for
If they eagerly tell it and watch your face for a reaction, they're seeking connection through making you laugh, that's them wanting to feel like they can light up a room and be celebrated for it.
If they're shy about it or need convincing, that could mean they're a little unsure if their humor will land, and a big genuine laugh from you (even at an imperfect joke) goes a long way toward building that confidence.
If they say "I don't know," tell a silly joke first and see if it unlocks one from them.
What this tells you
How eager they are to share this joke shows how much they crave being the one who makes the family laugh.