Tonight with your 5 to 8 year old

The prompt

“What does 'personal space' mean to you, in your own words?”

What to listen for

If they describe it as their own bubble or a need for room to breathe sometimes, they're showing a healthy, clear understanding of their right to space, which is great for setting boundaries later in life.

If they mostly describe it in terms of siblings or friends getting too close, listen for whether they feel like their space is currently respected at home, this is a good moment to ask if they feel they get enough of it.

If they say "I don't know," describe it simply yourself, like "the space around you that feels like yours," and ask when they've wanted that.

What this tells you

Their answer shows how clearly they understand their right to space and whether they feel it's respected.