Small, simple but powerful. Care of material things is often an indication of whether someone appreciates the contrast between the small and the large. The typical form of establishing independence or rebellion against one's parents or authorities is to keep one's room a mess. But learning the value of small things and taking care of them may be a predictor of whether you can be trusted with large things. Jesus had something to say on that subject as well.
Children are good teachers of the contrast between small and large.
It's a small thing, learning to listen before one speaks, but so important. And even when things get big, they answer to the small gesture. I can remember more than once in my life when I was possessed by what I thought were the large duties that I was given to do. Then someone, sometimes a child, said or did the smallest gesture, handed me the smallest gift, and instantly everything became clear. Growth itself is a natural process but it all begins with something small.