Tonight with your 9 to 12 year old
The prompt
“Is there something you've been practicing that's finally starting to pay off?”
What to listen for
An enthusiastic answer shows they can track their own progress over time, which builds the kind of patience and grit that makes future hard things feel doable.
If they mention it but seem to still doubt it's really improving, ask what evidence changed their mind, helping them name proof points teaches them to trust their own growth without needing constant outside praise.
If nothing comes to mind, that's a good invitation to name something you've noticed improving in them, since kids don't always see their own slow progress from the inside.
What this tells you
This shows you whether your child can recognize their own hard work actually turning into real progress.