Tonight with your 9 to 12 year old
The prompt
“What's something you're actively trying to get better at right now?”
What to listen for
A clear, self-chosen goal shows real ownership over their own growth, they're not just improving because an adult told them to, they've picked something themselves.
If what they name is something you didn't know they cared about, that's valuable information about where to offer support or encouragement without taking over.
If they say nothing, ask what they'd want to be better at if they could pick anything, sometimes naming a goal out loud is the push that gets someone actually started on it.
What this tells you
This shows you what your child has decided matters enough to actively work on right now.