Tonight with your 5 to 8 year old
The prompt
“What makes you decide someone is a person you can really trust?”
What to listen for
If they mention keeping promises or being kind consistently, that shows they're learning trust is built over time through actions, not just words, which is a big insight.
If they mention a specific person, like a friend or family member, that's a great chance to ask what that person does that earns their trust.
If they say they trust everyone or nobody, gently explore why, since either extreme is worth understanding with curiosity, not correction.
What this tells you
What they look for in a trustworthy person shows what they themselves need in order to feel safe getting close to someone.