Tonight with your 5 to 8 year old

The prompt

“Is there something you know how to do that you'd love to teach me?”

What to listen for

An eager, detailed answer shows a child who wants to feel capable and looked up to, being the teacher instead of the student is a powerful confidence boost, so take the lesson seriously.

If they pick something surprising (a video game move, a dance, a way of folding paper), let them fully lead it, resist the urge to "help" or correct, since the point is them being the expert.

If they can't think of anything, ask about something you've seen them do well recently, sometimes kids don't realize what they know is worth teaching until someone asks.

What this tells you

This shows what skill currently makes them feel proud enough to want to pass it on, and how much they crave being seen as capable.