Tonight with your 5 to 8 year old
The prompt
“Did you and a friend disagree about the rules of a game recently? How did you two figure it out?”
What to listen for
If they describe talking it through, compromising, or checking the game instructions together, they're developing real conflict-resolution skills, a big deal worth naming clearly as a strength.
If the game ended badly (someone quit, cried, or it stayed unresolved), stay curious rather than judgmental, ask what they wish had happened instead, which helps them problem-solve for next time without feeling blamed.
If they say nothing like that happened, that's fine too, you can ask what they'd do if it did, to get a read on their instincts.
What this tells you
This shows how much confidence and skill they already have for handling disagreements without an adult stepping in.