Tonight with your 9 to 12 year old
The prompt
“What does waiting for something exciting actually feel like in your body?”
What to listen for
A vivid, physical description shows real self-awareness about emotions, they're connecting feelings to sensations, which is a valuable skill at this age.
If they describe it as almost unbearable or impatient, that's completely normal, you can share how you feel the same way about things you're excited for.
If they say it doesn't feel like anything, ask about the last time they were really looking forward to something specific, a concrete example often unlocks more detail.
What this tells you
This shows how in tune they currently are with their own body and emotions together.