Srinagar, July 8 -- Kashmiri kids are growing up in a world where being able to express yourself clearly is no longer optional.

From college admissions to job interviews, from school debates to social media, communication is currency.

But when we talk about how to build this essential skill, we skip the most important part: the surroundings we create for learning.

Let's start at the beginning.

According to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, children formally enter school at age six. But by then, their exposure to language has already shaped much of their ability to think and speak.

If a child is surrounded by engaging conversation, songs, stories, and responsive adults, their vocabulary blooms. If not, they struggle to catch u...