Tonight with your 9 to 12 year old

The prompt

“What does the stuff you love to watch, read, or listen to say about who you are?”

What to listen for

If they can draw a real connection ('I like stories where someone's an underdog because I feel like that sometimes'), that's a strong sign of real self-awareness forming, which is worth reflecting back to them clearly. Even a lighter answer, like loving things that are funny or full of adventure, tells you what mood or escape they're drawn to right now.

If they say 'it doesn't say anything, I just like it,' that's fine, not everything needs to be a window into their soul, and pushing too hard here can feel like you're reading too much into their fun.

If they mention something they like but feel unsure about (worried it's 'babyish' or 'weird'), reassure them without making a big deal of it.

What this tells you

This shows you a piece of how they see themselves right now, reflected back through what they choose to spend their free time on.