10 Conversation Skills Kids Should Have By The First Grade

Plus, What Living Near Grandma and Grandpa Does for a Family [Fatherly_Seahorse]( Language development in early childhood is one of the best predictors of later school success and one of the biggest sources of educational inequality. Why? It all has to do with exposure to words. The right words, that is. Research shows the kinds of conversations that parents and kids have — dialogue that they found differs depending on socioeconomic standing — change the course of a child’s academic career. Here’s some advice on talking the talk with kids. PARENTING [22thoughtfultoddler-header]( [Want to Raise a High-Achieving Kid? Talk to Your Toddler Like This]( The way you talk to toddlers can determine how well they do in school throughout life. [But not just any conversation will do.]( [READ THE STORY]( TIPS AND TRICKS 10 Conversation Skills Your Child Should Have by the First Grade? Every child is different. But in her work with children who experienced typical development as well as those who experience developmental delays, Dr. Leela R. Magavi has seen that kids are usually able to develop the following conversation skills by the time they reach first grade: 1.Share understandable stories 2.Listen to stories 3.Ask follow-up questions 4.Describe things in a detailed manner 5.Understand the majority of what they hear at home and school 6.Pronounce most sounds correctly 7.Utilize rhyming words 8.Utilize some numbers 9.Understand right from wrong 10.Understand how others perceive them Here’s what you should know about [teaching kids the art of conversation.]( Another crucial social skill that kids should learn is how to listen to someone’s story with empathy and an open mind. Here’s what [parents can do to teach them.]( WELL MADE [22LEGO-Duplo-Modular-Playhouse]( [LEGO DUPLO Town Modular Playhouse]( Looking for a new Lego set for your kids? Consider this three-in-one building set. Children as young as three can construct this modular playhouse, and then rebuild it into a tower house, and then again into a residential house. [BUY NOW]( FAMILY [22when-kids-live-near-grandparents]( [What Living Near Grandma and Grandpa Does for a Family]( Having nana and pop-pop close [presents a unique set of pros and cons for everyone.]( [READ THE STORY]( TIPS AND TRICKS 3 Ways to Be a Better Son-in-Law Whether grandparents are near or far, how do you step up your son-in-law game? It’s all about the little gestures and, within reason, taking their feelings into account. Here are a few ways to do just that. - Be of Use If you’re at your in-laws’ house and it’s not the hour after Thanksgiving, chances are laying on the couch with your feet up is not a good look. No, you don’t want to be needy and have your in-laws create jobs for you. But there are probably errands that can be done, plates to be put away, stories to be told, games to be organized. This is to say: you want to play an active, not passive, role when you’re spending time with them. Otherwise, they’ll perceive you as someone who puts in no effort around the house. - Balance Their Traditions Maybe you and your wife live in a different state than her folks, but her folks are big we-need-the-family-together-for-the-holidays people. Or maybe your father-in-law is keen on the whole family being there for his Memorial Day pig roast. How do you balance their wants with yours? Time to use some tact. Can you alternate holidays? Would her dad be willing to slide the BBQ up a day or even a week? If you let them know that observing their traditions is just as important as creating your own, that will go a long way. - Set Firm Boundaries The first time you met your in-laws, you likely had a singular goal: impress them. They were the gatekeepers, after all, the ones through whom you must pass to have a happily ever after with their child. So, you went out of your way to be accommodating. But, especially after kids come into the picture, you must shift to the gatekeeper. The key is to set boundaries early to make sure everyone is on the same page and that your in-laws don’t get their feelings hurt down the line. Here are a few more ways to [score some son-in-law points.]( In-law relationships are tricky. Really tricky. There are just so many dynamics at play. It’s not uncommon to feel like, no matter what you do, your extended family won’t accept you. [This is what to consider when you’re struggling with that scenario.]( FURTHER READING - [What I Wish My Son-in-Law Would Stop Doing, According to 15 Fathers-in-Law]( - ​​​​​[How to Confront Your In-Laws (Without Pissing Off Your Spouse)]( - [How to Deal with In-Laws You Hate]( TALKIN’ POPS [22mark-wahlberg]( [Mark Wahlberg On TikTok Dances, Workouts, and Being a “Positive” Dad]( [The actor sat down with Fatherly to talk about dad-life.]( [READ THE STORY]( [bottomquote-psd] I’m not going to let them go down the wrong road, but as long as they’re doing something positive, they’re going to have my complete and utter support. [bottomquote-psd] TALK TO US Have a question? Comment? Want to tell us a no-good terrible story? Or a helpful parenting tip? We want to hear from you (and yes, we may publish your response in an article or forthcoming newsletter). Send your thoughts to [hello@fatherly.com](mailto:hello@fatherly.com?subject=Fatherly%20Newsletter%20Feedback). 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