Tonight with your 9 to 12 year old
The prompt
“What's something you did this year that actually surprised you about yourself?”
What to listen for
If they light up with a real example, a time they were braver, kinder, or more capable than they expected, they're building a clear sense of who they are, and they need you to reflect that back so it sticks.
If they downplay it or can't think of anything, they may not be used to noticing their own growth; they need you to name something you've seen so they start collecting evidence about themselves instead of waiting for others to hand it to them.
If they say "I don't know," don't fill the silence right away, try "even something small counts," and if it still doesn't land, offer one you noticed and let them react to it.
What this tells you
Their answer shows you whether they're starting to track their own growth or still need you to point it out for them.