Tonight with your 5 to 8 year old

The prompt

“If you had a little cousin someday who looked up to you, what's the first thing you'd want to teach them?”

What to listen for

If they pick a skill, like riding a bike or a game, they're showing pride in what they've already mastered and excitement to pass it on, a sign of growing confidence.

If they pick something more about values, like being kind or brave, that shows they're already thinking about what matters most to teach, beyond just skills, a sign of real maturity.

If they say "I don't know," ask what they wish someone had taught them earlier.

What this tells you

What they'd want to teach shows what they're most proud of and value most about themselves.