Little child reportedly shows strength (5)
I believe the answer is:
might
'strength' is the definition.
(I know that might is a type of strength)
'little child reportedly' is the wordplay.
'little child' becomes 'mite'.
'reportedly' shows a homophone (sound like).
'mite' is a homophone of 'MIGHT'.
'shows' is the link.
(Other definitions for might that I've seen before include "- - and main" , "Force; could" , "Strength - could possibly" , "Capability" , "What functions as an auxiliary" .)