Lesson 6: Firsts
Our little girl’s growing up so fast—blink and you’ll miss it!

I can listen to and understand someone talking about firsts.

INTRODUCE

People's firsts are some of their most important milestones. We learn and encounter many things for the first time as children, and it’s fun to talk about these experiences!

PRESENT

STEP A EXPRESSIONS

Go over the expressions with your tutor and answer the questions.

    1. Baby tooth/teeth refers to a child’s first tooth/set of teeth.

     

    My son lost his first baby tooth when he was five years old.

     

    Q: Do you remember what age you were when you started losing your baby teeth?

     

     

    2. Children who are potty-trained know how to use the toilet and do not need to wear diapers.

     

    Once my son is potty-trained, I won’t have to spend a lot of money on disposable diapers anymore.

     

    Q: Do you think it’s difficult for children to be potty-trained?

     

     

    3. People use the expression blink and you’ll miss it to say that something happens very quickly, so you have to give it your full attention.

     

    Children seem to grow up so fast. Blink and you’ll miss it!

     

    Q: What other things happen so fast that you can say “blink and you’ll miss it” about them?

STEP B PRONUNCIATION

When the letter t appears between two vowel sounds, it is often pronounced as /d/.
Phrase Example

potty-trained

/ pah-dee-treynd /

My son is / pah-dee-treynd /.

UNDERSTAND

LISTENING

Naoki received a voicemail from Saori about Aoi-chan.

TRIVIA

The phrase baby talk can be used to mean two different things. First, it can refer to the short phrases that babies use when they’re just learning how to talk. Second, it can also refer to the simple language adults sometimes use when talking to little children.

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

Choose the sentences that best use the underlined expressions.

1. __________.

  1. She got her baby teeth after she lost some of her adult teeth.
  2. I got my first baby tooth before I was a year old.

2. __________.

  1. Kids who are potty-trained early are often more independent than kids who are potty-trained late.
  2. My niece can’t go to the bathroom alone because she’s potty-trained.

3. __________.

  1. The school year seems to pass so slowly. Blink and you’ll miss it.
  2. My favorite actor appeared very briefly in the movie—blink and you’ll miss it!

4. __________.

  1. His baby teeth started falling out when he was six.
  2. You’ll probably get your first baby tooth once you turn 18.

STEP B EXERCISE

Rephrase the sentences using the expressions in the box. The form of some expressions may need to be changed.

baby tooth/teeth
be potty-trained
blink and you’ll miss it
  1. My two-year-old cousin can’t use the toilet by herself yet.
  2. I didn’t lose my first set of teeth until I was almost 14!
  3. The magic trick happens in an instant. You won’t see it if you don’t pay attention!

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

You’re meeting up with Haru, one of your best friends from high school whom you haven’t seen for several years. Listen to Haru talk about her son. Then, call your other friend from high school and tell him/her about your meet-up with Haru.

Today's Expressions

  • baby tooth/teeth
  • be potty-trained
  • blink and you’ll miss it

Challenge 2

Discuss your ideas.

If Time
Allows
1

FIRSTS
2

TRAINING CHILDREN
3

CHILDHOOD MEMORIES
1

FIRSTS

  1. Do parents in Japan commonly document or record their children’s firsts (ex. first word, first step, first solid food)?
  2. Do you think parents should post about their children’s firsts on social media?
  3. Why do you think some people consider firsts important?
  4. What’s your most memorable first from your childhood (ex. first time riding a horse, first time in a museum)?

2TRAINING CHILDREN

  1. By what age should children be potty-trained?
  2. What other things should children be taught to do on their own from a young age?
  3. What do you think makes training children to do things on their own difficult?
  4. What should parents do to make training their children easier (ex. give rewards, be strict)?

3CHILDHOOD MEMORIES

  1. Do you remember some of your childhood firsts (ex. first time riding a bike, first day of school)?
  2. Do you like talking about your childhood with your friends?
  3. What’s your funniest childhood memory?
  4. What did you like to do when you were a child (ex. play outside, watch cartoons)?

FEEDBACK

I can listen to and understand someone talking about firsts.

LESSON GOAL ACHIEVEMENT

  • 4
    Very Good

    Could complete the task with ease

  • 3
    Good

    Could complete the task with some clarifications

  • 2
    Fair

    Could complete the task with additional instructions

  • 1
    Poor

    Could somehow complete the task with difficulty

PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK