Tonight with your 5 to 8 year old
The prompt
“Tell me about a time everyone in our family worked together on something, like a team.”
What to listen for
If they light up describing a project, a move, or even cleaning up together, that memory of teamwork tells you they feel like a real, valued part of the group, not just someone along for the ride.
If they focus on their own job in the teamwork, like "I carried the boxes," that's them showing they want their contribution to be seen and to matter.
If they can't think of one, ask about a time everyone made dinner or a mess together, since "working together" can mean something very small.
What this tells you
How easily they can name a team moment shows how much they already feel like they belong and matter within the family.