Tonight with your 5 to 8 year old
The prompt
“If we gave out a prize for the silliest joke at dinner tonight, what would the prize be and who do you think would win?”
What to listen for
If they pick themselves to win, that's a healthy, confident sense of humor and self-assurance, nothing to worry about, just enjoy the moment with them.
If they pick someone else, notice who, it might show who they admire most or who they think deserves more recognition in the family right now.
If they can't think of a prize, offer a silly one yourself ("the golden spoon of silliness"), sometimes playful structure gets their imagination rolling.
What this tells you
Who they'd crown as funniest shows who they currently look up to or want to see get more recognition at the table.