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Child Development: Milestones, Ages and Stages

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Ages & Stages HomeNewborn1 to 3 Months4 to 6 Months7 to 9 Months10 to 12 Months1 Year2 Years3 Years4 to 5 Years6 to 12 Years13 to 18 Years

Understanding your child’s changing growth and development milestones is an important part of parenting. As infants and children progress through a series of growth stages, they may encounter common physical or emotional challenges. The pediatric experts at CHOC created a series of guides by age and stage, so you can better understand what your child is going through and spot any issues along the way. 

Growth and development includes not only the physical changes that occur from infancy to adolescence, but also some of the changes in emotions, personality, behavior, thinking and speech that children develop as they begin to understand and interact with the world around them. Skills such as taking a first step or smiling for the first time are called developmental milestones.   

Children reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, act and move. All children develop at their own pace, but these milestones give you a general idea of the changes to expect as your child grows.  

Developmental milestones can be categorized by the following: 

  • Speech and Language
  • Dressing Skills
  • Fine Motor and Visual Motor Skills
  • Grooming Skills

Kids grow at their own pace. There are a wide range of healthy shapes and sizes among children. Genetics, gender, nutrition, physical activity, health problems, environment and hormones all play a role in a child’s height and weight, and many of these can vary widely from family to family. 

Doctors consider growth charts along with a child’s overall well-being, environment and genetic background. Your child’s doctor may also consider: 

  • Is the child meeting other developmental milestones? 
  • Are there any other signs that a child is not healthy? 
  • What height and weight are the child’s parents and siblings?  
  • Was the child born prematurely? 
  • Has the child started puberty earlier or later than average? 

No. Girls and boys are measured on different growth charts because they grow in different patterns and at different rates. One set of charts is used for babies, from birth to 36 months. Another set is used for kids and teens ages 2–20 years old. Also, special growth charts can be used for children with certain conditions, such as Down syndrome, or who were born early. 

Keeping an eye on growth charts may help you or your child’s doctor spot any potential growth issues. Some patterns to look out for include: 

  • When a child’s weight or height percentile changes from a pattern it’s been following. For example: If height and weight have both been on the 60th percentile line until a child is 5 years old, and then the height drops to the 30th percentile at age 6, that might suggest a growth problem because the child is not following his or her usual growth pattern. But changing percentiles doesn’t always mean there’s a problem. Many kids may show changes in growth percentiles at some points in development, when it’s normal for growth rates to vary more from child to child. This is particularly common during infancy and puberty. 
  • If a child’s height progression is very different from what is expected by his or her midparental height calculation. 
  • If there is an abnormally low or high body mass index (BMI 85%).  

Growth charts are a helpful tool, but it is important to know that they do not paint a full picture of your child’s development or overall health. If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s growth — or growth charts — talk with your pediatrician. 

Reviewed by Dr. Mary Choi, Seaview Pediatrics, CHOC Primary Care – June 2021

Growth & Development: 6 to 12 Years (School Age)

As kids grow from grade-schoolers to preteens, you can expect many changes from their physical appearances to their favorite activities. Children between 6 and 12 years old will begin valuing friendships and become more involved in activities like sports and/or painting.

Doctors use certain milestones to tell if a child is developing as expected. There’s a wide range of what’s considered normal, so some children gain skills earlier or later than others. Children who were born prematurely reach milestones later. Always talk with your doctor about your child’s progress.

What can my 6- to 12-year-old child do at this age?

As your child continues to grow, you will notice new and exciting abilities that your child develops. While children may progress at different rates and have diverse interests, the following are some of the common milestones children may reach in this age group:

6- to 7-year-olds:

  • Enjoy many activities and stays busy
  • Like to paint and draw
  • Practice skills in order to become better
  • Jump rope
  • Ride bikes
  • Can tie shoelaces
  • Can do simple math like adding and subtracting

8- to 9-year-olds can:

  • Jump, skip and chase
  • Dress and groom self completely
  • Use tools (i. e., hammer, screwdriver)

10- to 12-year-olds may:

  • Like to write, draw and paint

What does my 6- to 12-year-old child understand?

As children enter school-age, their abilities and understanding of concepts and the world around them continue to grow. While children may progress at different rates, the following are some of the common milestones children may reach in this age group:

6- to 7-year-olds:

  • Understand concept of numbers
  • Know daytime and nighttime
  • Can differentiate right and left hands
  • Can copy complex shapes, such as a diamond
  • Can tell time
  • Can understand commands with three separate instructions
  • Can explain objects and their use
  • Can repeat three numbers backwards
  • Can read age-appropriate books and/or materials

8- to 9-year-olds:

  • Can count backwards
  • Know the date
  • Read more and enjoy reading
  • Understand fractions
  • Understand concept of space
  • Draw and paint
  • Can name months and days of week, in order
  • Enjoys collecting objects

10- to 12-year-olds:

  • Write stories
  • Like to write letters
  • Read well
  • Enjoy talking on the phone or texting

Wellness and Fitness Milestones

Kids at this age need physical activity to build strength, coordination, and confidence — and to lay the groundwork for a healthy lifestyle. They’re also gaining more control over how active they are. Kids who enjoy sports and exercise tend to stay active throughout their lives. Staying fit can improve how kids develop in school, build self-esteem, as well as prevent obesity, and decrease the risk of serious illnesses such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease later in life.

What is “normal” physical growth for a 6- to 12-year-old child?

For 6- to 12-year-olds, there continues to be a wide range of “normal” regarding height, weight and shape. Kids tend to get taller at a steady pace, growing about 2-2.5 inches (6 to 7 centimeters) each year. When it comes to weight, kids gain about 4–7 lbs. (2–3 kg) per year until puberty starts.

This is also a time when kids start to have feelings about how they look and how they’re growing. Some girls may worry about being “too big,” especially those who are developing early. Boys tend to be sensitive about being too short.

Try to help your child understand that the important thing is not to “look” a certain way, but rather to be healthy. Kids can’t change the genes that will determine how tall they will be or when puberty starts. But they can make the most of their potential by developing healthy eating habits and being physically active.

Your doctor will take measurements at regular checkups, then plot your child’s results on a standard growth chart to follow over time and compare with other kids the same age and gender.

How can I help my child grow?

Normal growth — supported by good nutrition, enough sleep, and regular exercise — is one of the best overall indicators of a child’s good health. Your child’s growth pattern is largely determined by genetics.

Pushing kids to eat extra food or get higher amounts of vitamins, minerals, or other nutrients will not increase their height and may lead to weight problems. Accepting kids as they are helps them build self-acceptance. Good mental health is important for healthy development, strong relationships and resilience.

How active should my 6- to 12-year-old be?

School-age kids should have many chances to do a variety of activities, sports, and games that fit their personality, ability, age, and interests. Through physical activities, kids learn about sportsmanship, setting goals, meeting challenges, teamwork, and the value of practice.

Physical activity guidelines for school-age kids recommend that they get at least 1 hour of moderate to strong physical activity daily. In addition:

  • Most of the physical activity should be aerobic, where kids use large muscles and continue for a period of time.
  • Examples of aerobic activity are running, swimming, and dancing.
  • School-age kids usually have brief bouts of moderate to strong physical activity alternating with light activity or rest throughout the day. Any moderate to strong activity counts toward the 60-minute goal.
  • Muscle-strengthening and bone-strengthening physical activity should be included at least 3 days a week.
  • Children naturally build strong muscles and bones when they run, jump and play. Formal weight programs aren’t needed. However, they are safe when properly designed and supervised.

Should my child participate in sports?

Keep in mind your child’s age and developmental level, natural abilities, and interests. Kids 6 to 8 years old are sharpening basic physical skills like jumping, throwing, kicking, and catching. Some enjoy doing this in organized sports teams, but non-competitive leagues are best for younger kids. Kids 9 to 12 years old are refining, improving and coordinating skills. Some become even more committed to a sport while others drop out as competition heats up and level of play improves. Regardless of the age or activity, it is important that you show your support by coaching your child’s team or cheering from the stands on game days.

It’s okay if a child isn’t interested in traditional sports, but it’s important to find alternative ways to be active. Brainstorm with your kids on activities that feel right for them. Encourage a child who doesn’t like soccer, basketball, or other team sports to explore other active options, like karate, fencing, golf, bicycling, skateboarding, and tennis. Most kids won’t mind the physical activity as long as they are having fun.

Fitness at Home

Many parents and kids think of organized sports when they think of fitness. Though there are many advantages to signing a child up for a sports team, practice and games once or twice a week will not be enough to reach activity goals. Also, parents shouldn’t rely on physical education in schools alone to provide children with enough physical activity.

Here are some ways to keep your child moving at home:

  • Make physical activity part of the daily routine. From household chores to an after-dinner walk, keep your family active every day.
  • Allow enough time for free play. Kids can burn more calories and have more fun when left to their own devices. Playing tag, riding bikes around the neighborhood, and building snowmen are fun and healthy.
  • Keep a variety of games and sports equipment on hand. It doesn’t have to be expensive — an assortment of balls, hula-hoops, and jump ropes can keep kids busy for hours.
  • Be active together. It’ll get you moving, and kids love to play with their parents.
  • Limit time spent in sedentary activities such as watching TV, using electronic devices, being online and playing video games.

If you run out of possibilities at home, take advantage of local playgrounds and athletic fields. Make family fitness outings part of your regular routine. Let family members choose an activity — go hiking, ice skating, or try out the rock-climbing gym. Anything goes, as long as everyone can participate. And remember: You’ll help show your kids that exercise is important by regularly exercising yourself.

Preventing Sports-Related Injury

Kids who participate in sports are at risk for injuries, so be sure your child wears the proper protective equipment, such as shin-guards and cleats in soccer, or a helmet and protective pads when rollerblading or skateboarding. Kids who specialize in one sport are also at risk of overuse injuries, including stress fractures and joint injuries. If a child is in pain, it is best to rest and let the injury heal before returning to play.

A child with a chronic health condition or disability should not be excluded from these fitness activities in fear of getting a sports-related injury. Some activities may need to be changed or adapted, and some may be too risky depending on the condition. The best thing to do is to talk to your doctor about which activities are safe for your child.

If your child complains of pain during or after physical activity, talk with your doctor.

How long should my 6- to 12-year-old sleep?

School-age kids need 9-12 hours of sleep at night. Bedtime problems can start at this age for a variety of reasons. Homework, sports, after-school activities, screen time, and hectic family schedules all can contribute to kids not getting the sleep they need. Sleep-deprived kids can become hyper or irritable and may have a hard time paying attention in school.

It’s still important to have a consistent bedtime, especially on school nights. Leave enough technology-free time before bed to allow your child to unwind before lights-out. Consider switching off the electronics at least an hour before bed. Avoiding keeping a TV in their bedroom.

Check out our Healthy Sleep Guide for Children for more info.

Puberty

Puberty — or sexual development — is a time of dramatic change for both boys and girls. The age at which the physical changes of puberty normally begin varies widely.

For both sexes, these hormone-driven changes are accompanied by growth spurts that transform children into physically mature teens as their bodies develop. They may also experience side effects from these hormones like acne and mood changes.

Puberty in Girls

Breast development, usually the first noticeable sign of puberty in girls, may begin anytime between ages 8 and 13. Events in girls as they go through puberty:

  • Breasts begin to develop, and hips become rounded.
  • The increase in the rate of growth in height begins.
  • Pubic hair begins to appear, usually 6–12 months after the start of breast development. About 15% of girls will develop pubic hair before breast development starts.
  • The uterus and vagina, as well as labia and clitoris, increase in size.
  • Pubic hair is well established, and breasts grow further. Each breast can grow at different rates, may not be the same sizes.
  • The rate of growth in height reaches its peak by about 2 years after puberty began. The average age is 12 years.
  • Menstruation begins about 2 years after breast start to develop and almost always after the peak growth rate in height has been reached. The average age is 12.5 years.
  • Once girls get their periods, they usually grow about 1 or 2 more inches (2.5 to 5 centimeters), reaching their final adult height by about age 14 or 15 years. Girls can experience this at a younger or older age depending on when puberty began.

Puberty in Boys

Most boys show the first physical changes of puberty between ages 10 and 16 and tend to grow most quickly between ages 12 and 15. The growth spurt of boys is, on average, about 2 years later than that of girls. By age 16, most boys have stopped growing, but their muscles will continue to develop.

Other features of puberty in boys include:

  • The penis and testicles increase in size. Testicles can grow at different rates, may not be the same sizes.
  • Pubic hair appears, followed by underarm and facial hair.
  • The voice deepens and may sometimes crack or break.
  • The Adam’s apple, or larynx cartilage, gets bigger.
  • Testicles begin to produce sperm.

Communication Milestones

How does my 6- to 12-year-old child interact with others?

A very important part of growing up is the ability to interact and socialize with others. During the school-age years, parents will see a transition in their child as he or she moves from playing alone to having multiple friends and social groups. While friendships become more important, the child is still fond of his or her parents and likes being part of a family. While every child is unique and will develop different personalities, the following are some of the common behavioral traits that may be present in your child:

6- to 7-year-olds:

  • Cooperate and share
  • Can get jealous of others and siblings
  • Like to copy adults
  • Like to play alone, but friends are becoming important
  • Play with friends of the same gender
  • May have occasional temper tantrums
  • May be modest about body
  • Like to play board games

8- to 9-year-olds:

  • Like competition and games
  • Start to mix friends and play with children of different gender
  • May be modest about body
  • Enjoy clubs and groups, such as Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts
  • May become curious about relationships, but does not admit it

10- to 12-year-olds:

  • Will value friendship; may have a best friend
  • May develop romantic interests
  • Like and respect parents
  • Enjoy talking to others

How can I help increase my 6- to 12-year-old child’s social ability?

Consider the following as ways to foster your school-aged child’s social abilities:

  • Set and provide appropriate limits, guidelines and expectations and consistently enforce using appropriate consequences.
  • Model appropriate behavior.
  • Offer compliments for your child being cooperative and for any personal achievements.
  • Help your child choose activities that are appropriate for your child’s abilities.
  • Encourage your child to talk with you and be open with his or her feelings.
  • Encourage your child to read and read with your child.
  • Encourage your child to get involved with hobbies and other activities.
  • Encourage physical activity.
  • Encourage self-discipline; expect your child to follow rules that are set.
  • Teach your child to respect and listen to authority figures.
  • Teach your child to be aware of consequences of their behavior and empathy for others.
  • Encourage your child to talk about peer pressure and help set guidelines to deal with peer pressure.
  • Spend uninterrupted time together – giving full attention to your child. A strong, loving relationship can have a direct positive influence on your child’s mental health.
  • Encourage time outside.
  • Limit television, video game and computer time.

Reviewed by Dr. Lydia Villa, Clinica CHOC Para Niños, CHOC Primary Care – May 2021

At what age should a child speak?

Reviewer Kravtsova Elena Mikhailovna

114910 views

November 23, 2021

Speech is one of the important skills of a child, and its formation begins long before the baby speaks on his own. The baby perceives the speech of the parents and the adults around him, imitates it and subsequently relies on the acquired experience. When should a child start talking and how to help him?

Standards for the development of speech in children

The development of speech occurs gradually. Each child is individual, so it can either be ahead of the age norms or a little behind. It is believed that girls start talking earlier than boys, and parents of boys do not always understand whether to worry or just wait. The reason is in physiological features: the maturation of some brain structures of girls is faster. Because of this, they improve their vocabulary at an early age. But not only the number of words, but also other signs are important for assessing the speech development of the child. They are universal for both boys and girls.

The speed and quality of speech development in children are individual, and the normative boundaries are conditional. To understand that everything is in order with the baby, the pediatrician will help. For a preliminary assessment of the development of speech, one can focus on the norms described by the Soviet psychologist Lev Semyonovich Vygotsky [1] .

Up to year

In the first months of life, the baby listens to his parents and the adults around him. He distinguishes the voices of people who are talking to him, turns his head towards the sound. First, the child masters vowel sounds, then by the age of three or four months, consonant sounds appear, and the baby begins to walk.

At the age of 6-12 months, the child imitates the sounds of adult speech more actively. Babble appears - the baby pronounces the same syllables, for example, “ma-ma-ma”, “pa-pa-pa”, “dya-dya-dya”. At about ten months, babies get used to responding to their name. By the age of a child, the first short meaningful words appear (“on”, “give”, “mother”). Vocabulary ranges from 3 to 20 words. In addition, a baby of this age responds correctly to requests to show or give something (performs or shakes his head negatively).

One to two years

In a year, the baby repeats words that he often hears, adjectives appear in speech. The child uses sounds and gestures to attract attention, skips or replaces complex combinations of sounds, adapting speech for himself, for example: “bad - groin”. The kid moves more, begins to move independently and accumulates knowledge about the world around him. Vocabulary is actively replenished: up to one and a half years the child uses 30-40 words, closer to two years - 300-400. In girls, by the age of one and a half, in boys, by the age of two, phrasal speech begins to form. It arises and is primarily used for questions and the expression of simple needs ("Give me a drink").

Two to three years

At this age, the ability to speak in sentences of 2-3 words is actively developing. The child begins to use pronouns and prepositions. His speech becomes more understandable to adults, he can fulfill their two-part requests, for example: "Take your toy and give it to me." Vocabulary is replenished by 100 words per month. At two or two and a half years, the baby asks questions: “Why?”, “Where?” and so on.

Three years

At three years old, a child actively communicates with adults and peers using simple sentences. He can explain his desires in words. The kid begins to use unions and uses almost all the main parts of speech, including generalized names (“animals”, “things”, etc.). At the same time, the child may still make sounds indistinctly. The kid likes to listen to familiar fairy tales and poems. He remembers the text well and reproduces it. Vocabulary is replenished every day [2] .

How to help a child speak

When children begin to speak the first words, they themselves really like it. The main way to help your child talk is to communicate with him as often as possible. In infancy, the baby understands speech on an emotional level, so you need to speak with him expressively. All activities associated with it - bathing, massage, feeding, etc. - accompany with emotionally charged words. Call the baby by name, pronounce the names of things, talk about what the child himself does and how well he does it, and also pick up and repeat all the sounds that he makes.

As they grow older, it is better to use short and clear sentences so that the child can observe the movement of the lips and apply knowledge in his speech. You need to maintain a conversation with the baby, ask him questions and try to have a long conversation.

Read books and sing songs. You can read a book to your child and show the characters in the pictures. They will attract his attention, and auditory perception will help memorize new words. Joint learning of new songs and short rhymes develops the speech apparatus, and also strengthens the bond with the baby.

Develop fine motor skills. Fine motor skills - this is the performance of small movements with hands, fingers and toes, for example: sorting through cereals, playing with beads and buttons. The centers of the brain responsible for motor skills and speech are located next to each other, so when motor skills are stimulated, speech develops faster.

Develop vocabulary. You can show and name the surrounding objects to the child: at home, in the park, at a party. The meaning of objects should be explained in simple terms. So the child will expand knowledge about the world around him, learn new words and will learn to speak faster.

Abandon body language and mangling words. It is better for adults to refuse to distort words, because the child learns to speak on the basis of the speech that he hears around. If the baby replaces words with gestures, you can pretend that they are incomprehensible. This will encourage him to speak. You should not bring the child to crying or hysteria. It is worth acting gently - asking leading questions, pronouncing words one after another.

Games for the development of the articulatory apparatus

Musical games help the child to develop speech breathing and provide an opportunity to develop a long pronunciation of vowels and a clear pronunciation of consonants. The following activities may help:

  • songs with repetition of syllables, for example: “Pee-pee-pee-food! And only then - wake up-pi-nutrition ”;
  • toys that reproduce the sounds of animals - they should be repeated together;
  • musical instruments in the game: you need to ask the child to say the name of the instrument and repeat the sounds it makes.

Finger games are the image of any rhymes or stories with the help of fingers. Such activities help to quickly engage the speech center. In finger games, various hand movements are used - raising and lowering the palms, clapping, as well as bending and unbending the fingers. Familiar to everyone since childhood, “Ladushki, patty” and “Geese flew” are perfect for such exercises. More examples of finger games in the article.

Articulatory gymnastics is aimed at developing the mobility of the speech organs. It includes exercises for the tongue, cheeks, lips and facial expressions. Suitable for the following classes:

  • Grimaces: standing together in front of a mirror, smile broadly, show tongue, puff out cheeks.
  • Simple games for breathing: blow off the candy wrapper from the palm of your hand, blow soap bubbles, blow on a dandelion.
  • Games with the tongue: hide and show the tongue, make circular movements with the tongue like a clock hand, try to reach the tip of the nose with the tongue.

When to see a doctor

The development of speech in each child occurs individually, and it does not matter at what age or at how many months mom or dad started talking. In order to timely detect the backlog, you need to regularly undergo scheduled examinations with a pediatrician.

If during the next appointment the doctor reveals signs of a speech disorder, you should contact a neurologist and a speech therapist. Specialists will draw up a correction plan. It is important that parents actively participate in the treatment process and provide support to the child - the effect of the classes will depend on this.

Advice to parents

List of sources

1. Vygotsky L. S., Psychology of child development, M: Publishing House of Meaning, Publishing House of Eksmo, 2004. - 512 p. (Series "Library of World Psychology")

2. Stages of development of the child's speech and the reason for contacting a specialist L. G. Sokolova, FMBA of Russia


Reviewer Kravtsova Elena Mikhailovna

Psychologist, child and adolescent

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When are you planning to have children? How to answer insensitive questions from parents and not get mad

Thanks to the rise of popular psychology, we know about personal boundaries and the inadmissibility of the phrase "I'm not talking to you." But our adult parents are still not aware. They also have an amazing habit of asking the most terrible questions in the world, such as: “When are we going to have grandchildren?”

In addition, they missed the debate on the correct wording when referring to kindergarteners, still have not heard about ageism, always blurting out "Don't argue with the elders!" is nothing more than a devaluation of other people's feelings. Here are four psychological tactics for adult children to communicate with adult parents.

1. Pay attention

A phrase addressed to an adult daughter at a banquet of 48 people - "Why won't you get married?" - not just amazing rudeness, but can also hide their own anxiety. Mom, for example, is terribly worried that her daughter will remain an old maid at 23.

Psychologist’s advice: “The easiest option is to openly ask:“ Why are you asking me about this? consider it necessary to answer immediately, and at the same time transfer the conversation to him.

How things are likely to go: Feeling some awkwardness of a phrase from jokes about psychologists, we still decide to say it from somewhere in the depths of the feast, from behind a plate of salad. Instead of starting to delve into herself and marvel at insights, mom is indignant with the volume of a fire siren: “How why? I'm worried!

“Yes, yes, we got divorced for the second time during these years! She's always been a badass!" - voices are heard from the corner where some people you see for the first time are sitting. You blush, jump out from behind the table and pull the common tablecloth half a meter.

What is the best thing to do:

- When you are already married you ...

- Mom, can you pass the bread? Such delicious fish. Did you catch it yourself?

2. Be as honest as possible

It's not good to lie to your parents - parents themselves tell us about this from childhood. Looks like it's time to take the advice.

Psychologist's advice: “Tell the truth. It can be an honest and short “I don’t know” answer. For example, to the question "When will you become a mother?" you can honestly answer: “Now I have other priorities in life. My career is more important to me now.”

How things are likely to go: “Now I have other priorities,” you justify yourself to your parents, who came to visit and declared right away that 30 years old is the last chance to have a child and jump into the last tram car , which rolls into the hospital. Here you remember sincerity and cut to the quick:

“Telling the truth, giving birth does not seem to me an attractive occupation. If I had to choose, I'd rather ride a dog sled around Alaska. Especially now that we have a reshuffling at work, I'm seriously thinking about going freelancing and going to the other side of the world. It will come in handy, because recently I discovered that Sergey and I are not such a good couple. He does not like to travel, besides, he has some kind of intrigue on the side. Oh yes, and he is also addicted to soft drugs, so you can see for yourself: it’s not up to children yet, while divorce is this and that ... And why did you bulge your eyes and breathe loudly? What? Valerian? I'll find it now. .."

What is the best thing to do:

– We heard that a grandson was born to the Balamutins! Rosy! Looks like a grandfather. And when will you get together?

- We would like your grandson to be born not in the footsteps of Balamutino, but when his parents realize that they are already fully ready to take on all the hardships of this difficult ...

- Children are happiness!

- Well, it's time to tell you the truth: a genetic test showed that we have a huge probability of having triplets, that is, quadruplets. If we decide, we will not be able to do without your help, including financial. You understand that it is a responsibility.

Parents stop talking and look into the distance for a long time.

3. Answer the same

Somehow it happened historically that in our country people are very bad with personal boundaries. Even a stranger in line can suddenly start giving you advice on how to fix an overbite, how to comb babies, and how to equip Russia. What can we say about parents. It often seems to them that by prompting and giving offensive advice, they really help.

Psychologist's advice: “Your borders must be defended again and again. For example, if your mom mentions on the phone that you're overweight, you could say, "Mom, I won't tolerate negative comments about my weight." If she doesn't calm down, try ending every phone call five seconds after mentioning your weight."

How things are likely to go:

— By the way, son, have you already given up flour? I saw the program, they said that your belly shape is silent evidence of malnutrition ...

- I will not tolerate negative comments about my stomach!

— What-what son? It's hard to hear. So the program recommended celery...

- If you don't stop, I'll hang up. Five, four...

- Celery cleans the stomach!

- Bye, mom.

...

- Son, the connection was cut off for some reason. So you didn't hear about celery. And there are more exercises ...

What is the best thing to do:

- Son, I saw the program ...

- Mom, look, here's a broadcast too. You hear what they say: giving a person advice about his figure, posture and baldness is a sure path to nervous diseases. To progressive bredozyoma. No, unfortunately, herbs do not help. Have pity on yourself for all of us!

4. Criticize yourself before your parents do

It is very disappointing when mom and dad continue to criticize you for any reason. Although you are no longer a child and you don’t need to show anyone what you did wrong when you glued the application, cooked soup, wrote a great poem. A thoughtful “um” is enough for us to understand that our parents did not appreciate our latest achievement. But no, they continue to evaluate and chastise.

Psychologist's advice: “Disagree with criticism. The main thing is to remain calm and friendly. Pause a little, and then gently disagree with the remark.

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