Tonight with your 9 to 12 year old
The prompt
“What's something you practiced that felt really boring at first but turned out to be worth it?”
What to listen for
If they can point to a skill and connect the boring repetition to the payoff, they're learning that effort works even without excitement, which builds real confidence that isn't dependent on things being fun.
If they say everything they practice stays boring, they may need more encouragement noticing small wins along the way rather than only caring about the finish line.
If they say "I don't know," mention something you've watched them stick with, an instrument, a sport, homework, and ask if that counts.
What this tells you
Their answer shows whether they're starting to trust their own persistence, or whether they still need you to point out that the boring middle part is working.