Tonight with your 5 to 8 year old
The prompt
“What's something that makes you feel silly in a really good way?”
What to listen for
If they name something specific and light up describing it, they're showing you they know exactly what brings them pure, easy joy, which is worth protecting and repeating often.
If they mention something involving you or a sibling, that's them telling you shared silliness is one of their favorite kinds of happiness.
If they say "I don't know," bring up something silly you remember them doing recently and watch if it brings the smile back.
What this tells you
What makes them feel silly in a good way shows you a direct path to their easiest, most reliable joy.