LPT: When a kid shows you their art and you have no idea what the hell it is say "Ooh, tell me all about that" instead of asking what it is.

They really want to tell you about it anyway and framing your reaction as sincere interest instead of bafflement encourages their excitement and sense of accomplishment instead of making them wonder if there is something wrong with what they did. Some of the best stories I've heard from my kids are from doing just this.