Ask any kid, and you'll likely hear that time spent with friends is the coolest and most important part of the school day. Educators, as well, acknowledge that making friends is one of the most valuable things children do as they learn and grow. But many parents are perplexed by their children's social lives, wondering how to help their kids cope with the challenges, heartbreaks, and the joys of making friends, losing them, and making friends again.

    “Friendships help children gradually learn to be independent, contributing members of a community and it's just as important as their academic growth” notes Diane Levin, Ph.D., author of “Remote Control Childhood.” However, it's a slow process. There are many social skills to learn, which advance with age and experience, trial and error, and experiencing the satisfaction that comes from contributing to an ongoing friendship.”

    “Friendship starts as soon as children can crawl off their parents' laps over to another child,” adds Michael Thompson, Ph.D., co-author of her life with you to her life with her friends. but who their friends are, how they interact with them, and how popular they are, is something parents have only limited control over.”

    Experts on children's behavior say that problems like jealousies, breakups, bullying and teasing account for a big part of what parents, kids and teachers talk about, and what parents worry about.

    Get insights into how children's friendships develop and how parents can help, if needed, and find ways to determine if your child is at risk for serious social problems or simply suffering from real (but common) social challenges.

    Do you remember the last time you read a book, or a magazine? Is checking e-mails or updating microblog your daily reading habit? If you're one of those who don't make a habit of reading regularly, you might be really out.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Stress Reduction

    No matter how much pressure you have at work, in your personal relationships, or other issues in daily life, it all just slips away when you lose yourself in a great story.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Knowledge

    Everything you read fills your head with new information, and you never know when it might come into use.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Besides, you might lose everything else—your job, your money, even your health, but knowledge can never be taken from you.

    Vocabulary Expansion

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} As a result, this will gradually enlarge your everyday vocabulary. Then you might become more knowledgeable and well-spoken, which can increase your self confidence and even help you get promotions more quickly.

    Better Writing Skills

    Exposure to well-written work has a great effect on your own writing. In other words, writing styles of other authors will influence your own work.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    Now that reading has so many benefits, step away from your computer and go hunting for something new to read!

A. Here are some benefits of reading.

B. Here are some suggestions for your health.

C. The more you read, the more words you gain exposure to.

D. This goes hand-in-hand with the expansion of your vocabulary.

E. A well-written novel can bring you pleasure, and allow you to relax.

F. The more knowledge you have, the better-equipped you are for your life.

G. That is why beginners always learn how to write by reading the works of others.

    Can animals be artistic? Painting and music are part of efforts to keep animals happy at the Smithsonian's National Zoo.

    A sloth bear (长毛熊) called Francois is one of the National Zoo's artists. He began his artistic career two years ago. Francois has a very unusual way to paint. He uses his breathing to paint. His zookeeper, Stacey Tabellario, says that although the technique may look strange, it is actually a very natural behavior for sloth bears. The zookeepers fill one of those tubes full of paint and ask them to breathe through it. And they blow all of the paints onto the canvases (画布), making these really cool paintings.

    Animal artists come in all shapes and sizes at the Zoo. They use many kinds of techniques to create their works of art. Apes use paintbrushes. Many use their paws or claws—much like a human painter who would use his or her hands.

    Stacey Tabellario says Francois seems to enjoy expressing himself through his art. “When I set up the materials for painting activity, he comes and sits next to them and waits until they are ready for painting. He does that every time. I also see where his eyes go. He does see the paints come out of the tube and land on the canvas.”

    But not every animal wants to paint. Music is another part of the arts enrichment program. Physically and mentally stimulating activities are an important part of the daily care of the animals. Trainers have a lot of tools, from tablet computer to small toys.

    Kenton Kerns says the program helps the animals and the zookeepers in many ways. Every interaction between keepers and their animals creates some sort of connections. The one-of-a-kind works of art created by the animals are popular with zoo visitors. Many are sold at the zoo's fund-raising events.

    It is common to see many different kinds of insects while spending time outside in the summer. Some of them do not trouble people and can even add beauty to the natural environment. Other insects can harm the environment or humans. The population of these insects seems to stay large and healthy.

    But scientists say this does not appear to be true for some flying insects that serve an important purpose. There is growing evidence that these insects are decreasing across the world.

    One researcher looking into the present insect population is Doug Tallamy, a professor at the University of Delaware. He remembers walking through Washington D. C., in the past when it was "alive with insects, especially butterflies". Now, he said, "The flying insects are actually gone." Wilson said this point seemed to be proved during a drive he made last year from Boston to Vermont. He was surprised that, during his trip, he counted only one insect that had hit the car's front window. Several other scientists have carried out similar tests by checking how many insects hit their cars while traveling.

    While researchers admit this method is not scientific, they say it can still help them understand the changing flying insect population. There have not been many studies done on the flying insect populations covering large areas. However, some international research suggests a downward turn. In 2006, a group of studies showed that there had been a 14-percent drop in ladybugs(瓢虫) in the United States and Canada from 1987 to 2006. In Germany, a 2017 study found an 82-percent drop in the number of flying insects compared to levels recorded in 1990.

    After the German study, other countries also started looking into the problem. David Wagner of the University of Connecticut says other evidence leads him to believe the findings of the 2017 study are "clearly not a German thing".

    "What kind of rubbish are you?" This question might normally cause anger, but in Shanghai it has aroused complaints over the past week. On July 1st the city introduced strict rubbish-sorting regulations as a model for the country. Residents must divide their waste into four separate categories and throw it into specific public bins. They must do so at scheduled times, when monitors are present to ask the nature of one's rubbish, otherwise, they will face fines or worse.

    Shanghai authorities are responding to an obvious environmental problem. It generates 9 million tonnes of garbage a year, more than London's annual output and rises quickly. But like other cities in China, it lacks a recycling system. Individuals who fail to recycle could be fined up to 200 yuan (＄29). For repeat, the city can add black marks to their credit records, making it harder for them to obtain bank loans or even buy train tickets.

    Some object to this. Peng Feng of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences warns that the use of the credit system is overkill, raising a risk that officials will abuse their power. But others say a tough campaign is necessary. "Slowly people will get used to it," says Li Changjun of Fudan University.

    Many residents support recycling but are frustrated by the details. Rubbish must be divided according to whether it is food, recyclable, dry or harmful, the distinctions among which can be confusing, though there are apps to help work it out. Some have complained about the rules surrounding food waste. They must put it straight in the requisite public bin, forcing them to tear open plastic bags and toss (撕开) it by hand. Most upsetting are the short windows for throwing rubbish, typically a couple of hours, morning and evening. Along with the monitors at the bins, this means that people go at around the same time and can keep an eye on what is being thrown out; no one wants to look bad.

Teen Read Week is a week-long celebration for teens and reading. Teen Read Week is held during the third week of October each year. It aims at encouraging teens to read for pleasure. Reading for fun has many benefits. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} More reading will improve test scores and broaden teens' horizons. And it also helps with their future success.

{#blank#}2{#/blank#} They, will plan various activities in hopes of encouraging young adults to pick up a book. Activities can range from simple programs to events featuring special guests and some delicious food.

Some libraries host an open house for teens during Teen Read Week. During an open house, the young adult librarian may talk about his or her library's services for teens, upcoming teen programs, and collections of books suitable for teens. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}.

If the budget (预算) permits, some libraries may invite popular authors to their places. Authors who write books for teens can make, a public appearance there. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} If necessary, they can also answer questions from teens. In the end, the library can offer the authors' books as a prize to some of the teens in the audience.

If you're reluctant (勉强的) teenage readers, there are tips for you on how to follow Teen Read Week's spirit — reading for fun. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} An audiobook (有声读物) can be a good choice to start your interest in reading. You can listen on the way to school. If you like some movies about history, you can try reading related history books. You'll probably enjoy the more detailed stories presented by the novels.

A. Teen gaming nights are another option for libraries.

B. Thus, the teens can better learn about the library.

C. You might think they are characters out of reach.

D. They can tell about their works and writing methods.

E. You can search for some interesting reading materials.

F. For example, teens can become more interested in reading.

G. Public libraries will organize events in honor of Teen Read Week.