At what age can children be expected to sit at the dinner table, let's say for 45 minutes, converse with the family, use a fork, spoon and/or knife, etc.
My daughter is 2 and does good. The conversation isn't great but it is always funny! We minus the knife as well.
I also say 3. Stay away from the knife. Model and teach them good table manners way before that.
Depends on the child. When my son was in 5th grade he still had a hard time staying in his seat and would stand up to talk during dinner. Make dinner a positive experience. After all, you want to keep them communicating. If your child can only handle 15 minutes, excuse him. If you try to make him stay for "conversation" well beyond his attention span you will turn dinner into a chore. Keep him/her at the table for as long as it is pleasant and he/she can be included in conversation. Then set them free! For small children you want to keep at the table I think it is okay to have some crayons ready. Especially in restaurants.
minus the knife, i would say 3.
edited to add: that's not to say i wouldn't start "training" them in good table behavior around 18 months.
