随身英语 Would you let your baby sleep in a box? 你愿意让自己的宝宝在盒子里睡觉吗?
Play audio file 婴儿箱新热潮风靡全球。这到底是怎么回事呢?《随身英语》为你解答。
课文内容 词汇: babies 婴儿
Having a newborn can be daunting. What do you need to buy? How will you get the baby to sleep? And how will you pay for everything? Could the answers to these worries lie in a ‘baby box’?
The baby box has taken the world by storm, but what is it? Well, it originated in Finland in the 1930s as a kind of maternity kit for expectant parents. The box, provided by the government, contains supplies, such as bibs, nappies, and teething toys. It also comes with a small mattress, which is placed in the bottom of the box to create the baby’s first cot. Now, the idea of putting a child to sleep in a box may shock some. But, experts say this could reduce the risks that come with babies sleeping in the same bed as their parents. The box has been a huge success and is said to be one of the main reasons why the rate of infant mortality in Finland is so low.
A few years ago, stories of the Finnish baby box went viral. Other countries around the world have since caught onto the idea and adapted it to suit local needs. For example, in South Africa, the box is made of plastic and can be used as a bath rather than a bed. The main objective, however, is to encourage mothers to attend antenatal classes during their pregnancy. The version trialled in India includes other appropriate supplies, such as a mosquito net to protect babies from malaria.
In Canada, additions to the baby box include a “crib-side assistance booklet” to help fathers bond with their baby. Written in the style of a car-repair manual, the booklet offers first-time dads helpful advice on matters such as how to burp their child.
Of course, the baby box can only do so much. Many believe governments should focus on providing parents with adequate maternityand paternity leave and improving health care and education. Good things come in small packages though, and for such a simple idea the baby box really does tick a lot of boxes!
词汇表
newborn 新生儿
maternity 母性的,产妇的
expectant parents 准父母
a bib 围嘴儿
a nappy 尿布
teething 出牙
a cot 小床
infant mortality 婴儿死亡率
antenatal classes 产前培训班
pregnancy 怀孕
a crib 婴儿床
bond (verb) 培养(感情)
to burp 打嗝
paternity leave 父亲产假
测验与练习
1. 阅读课文并回答问题。
1. True or false: The main aim of the baby box in South Africa is to encourage mothers to bath their babies.
2. How did the rest of the world find out about the Finnish baby box?
3. Why do you think the booklet given in Canada is written in the style of a car manual?
4. True or false: The box is only used as a means to package the items?
5. Which country mentioned in the article has adapted the box to provide babies with protection from disease?
2. 请你在不参考课文的情况下完成下列练习。选择一个意思合适的单词填入句子的空格处。
1. The baby's not due for another month, but I'm off on _______ leave next week. I can’t wait to give birth now!
Paternal paternity maternal maternity
2. It's time to buy a bed - he's getting too big for that _______.
bib cot nappy toy
3. Can you put her ______ on ready for dinner time?
bib crib nappy cot
4. Why is she crying all the time? I think she's ______ - I can see a tooth coming through.
toothing teething bonding burping
5. It's important for ______ mothers to get as much rest as possible before the baby is born.
expected expecting expectant expert
答案
1. 阅读课文并回答问题。
1.True or false: The main aim of the baby box in South Africa is to encourage mothers to bath their babies.
False – the main aim is to encourage mothers to attend antenatal classes.
2.How did the rest of the world find out about the Finnish baby box?
A story about them on the internet went viral (was circulated rapidly)
3.Why do you think the booklet given in Canada is written in the style of a car manual?
Maybe they think it will help fathers relate to the information.
4. True or false: The box is only used as a means to package the items?
False, it’s also used as a bed for the baby.
5. Which country mentioned in the article has adapted the box to provide babies with protection from disease?
In India, the baby box includes a mosquito net to help protect babies from Malaria.
2. 请你在不参考课文的情况下完成下列练习。选择一个意思合适的单词填入句子的空格处。
1. The baby's not due for another month, but I'm off on maternity leave next week. I can’t wait to give birth now!
2. It's time to buy a bed - he's getting too big for that cot.
3. Can you put her bib on ready for dinner time?
4. Why is she crying all the time? I think she's teething - I can see a tooth coming through.
5. It's important for expectant mothers to get as much rest as possible before the baby is born.
体坛英语资讯:Hierro steps down as Spain boss
永远别对自恋狂说这些话
《财富》中国500强出炉 腾讯阿里跻身最赚钱公司前十名
国际英语资讯:Russia, U.S. top diplomats discuss bilateral ties, international issues
国际英语资讯:UK PMs crucial EU trade bill scrapes through parliament after knife-edge vote
如何对付说话不算话的老板
体坛英语资讯:Ronaldo defends Neymar against play-acting claims
国内英语资讯:Xi arrives in Senegal for state visit
国际英语资讯:Zimbabwean President Mnangagwa preaches peace ahead of election
嫁入王室2个月,梅根口音竟变成标准英英?
国内英语资讯:Interview: China-EU summit consolidates momentum of improvement in ties: ambassador
研究表明走路快的人比走路慢的人寿命长
国内英语资讯:China Focus: BRICS ties offer youth brighter business prospects
体坛英语资讯:Uganda targets medals at athletics World Junior Championships
国内英语资讯:Senior legislators hold study session
“帮我翻译个东西吧”——“给钱吗兄dei?”
体坛英语资讯:England wary of world class Modric
体坛英语资讯:Croatia-England: Four things to watch
娱乐英语资讯:Mongolian baritone wins Chigiana Prize
国内英语资讯:Chinese lawmakers to inspect earthquake relief law enforcement
国内英语资讯:UN to support China to develop, implement Comprehensive Sexuality Education
国际英语资讯:Trump, Putin content with summit despite lack of concrete results
国际英语资讯:Morocco sentences 18 suspects up to 20 years in jail for terror crimes
体坛英语资讯:Real Madrid: No agreement for French ace Mbappe
国际英语资讯:UN urges support for humanitarian aid, revitalization of West Africa, Sahel
体坛英语资讯:IWF Exective Board approves new categories
国内英语资讯:China refutes US accusations of violating WTO rules
简单的30秒测试告诉你,你胖是不是因为碳水化合物!
常上夜班干扰身体节律 对肠胃破坏极大
国际英语资讯:Spotlight: China-Europe cooperation on aviation shifts into higher gear