Money Matters

    Parents should help their children understand money. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} So you may start talking about money when your child shows an interest in buying things, candy or toys, for example.

    1 The basic function of money

    Begin explaining the basic function of money by showing how people trade money for goods or services. It is important to show your child how money is traded for the things he wants to have. If he wants to have a toy, give him the money and let him hand the money to the cashier(收银员). {#blank#}2{#/blank#} When your child grows a bit older and understands the basic function of money, you can start explaining more complex ways of using money.

    2 Money lessons

    Approach money lessons with openness and honesty. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} If you must say no to a child's request to spend money, explain, — You have enough toy trucks for now. Or, if the request is for many different things, say, — You have to make a choice between this toy and that toy.

    3 {#blank#}4{#/blank#} 

    Begin at the grocery store. Pick out two similar brands of a product — a name-brand butter and a generic (无商标产品), for example. You can show your child how to make choices between different brands of a product so that you can save money. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} If he chooses the cheaper brand, allow him to make another purchase with the money saved. Later, you may explain how the more expensive choice leaves less money for other purchases.

A. Wise decisions.

B. The value of money.

C. Permit the child to choose between them.

D. Tell your child why he can — or cannot — have certain things.

E. Ask yourself what things that cost money are most important to you

F. Talk about how the money bought the thing after you leave the toy store.

G. The best time to teach a child anything about money is when he shows an interest.

Empathy

    Last year, researchers from the University of Michigan reported that empathy, the ability to understand other people, among college students had dropped sharply over the past 10 years.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Today, people spend more time alone and are less likely to join groups and clubs. Jennifer Freed, a co-director of a teen program, has another explanation. Turn on the TV, and you're showered with news and reality shows full of people fighting, competing, and generally treating one another with no respect.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}There are good reasons not to follow those bad examples. Humans are socially related by nature.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Researchers have also found that empathetic teenagers are more likely to have high self-respect. Besides, empathy can be a cure for loneliness, sadness, anxiety, and fear.Empathy is also an indication of a good leader. In fact, Freed says, many top companies report that empathy is one of the most important things they look for in new managers.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} “Academics are important. But if you don't have emotional (情感的) intelligence, you won't be as successful in work or in your love life,” she says.What's the best way to up your EQ (情商）? For starters, let down your guard and really listen to others.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}To really develop empathy, you'd better volunteer at a nursing home or a hospital, join a club or a team that has a diverse membership, have a “sharing circle” with your family, or spend time caring for pets at an animal shelter.

A. Everyone is different, and levels of empathy differ from person to person.

B. That could be because so many people have replaced face time with screen time, the researchers said.

C. “One doesn't develop empathy by having a lot of opinions and doing a lot of talking,” Freed says.

D. Humans learn by example—and most of the examples on it are anything but empathetic.

E. Empathy is a matter of learning how to understand someone else—both what they think and how they feel.

F. Good social skills—including empathy—are a kind of “emotional intelligence” that will help you succeed in many areas of life.

G. Having relationships with other people is an important part of being human—and having empathy is decisive to those relationships.

    It is very important for kids to be courageous. A brave child is more likely to withstand negative peer pressure, say no to temptations（诱惑）and flight the good fight.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} It boosts kids' resilience（适应力）, confidence and willpower as their as well as their learning, performance and school engagement. Here are several ways to develop kids' courage:

    Model courage. Kids who watch their parents stick their necks out to do the right thing are more likely to do the same.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Then express how good it feels when you conquer your fear instead of taking a shortcut. Your kids will learn how to take on the tough challenge they face by witnessing how you tackle your fears.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Research finds that kids are more likely to be courageous if they believe that their parent them to support those in need. Discuss bravery with your kids: Tell hem Courage is making the choice to do what you know is right even if you are afraid.”

    Ask your kids to share their acts of bravery. Learning to be brave takes practice, so encourage your children to do something courageous every day.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}A mom I talked to had her kids share their brave deeds at dinner time.

Teach your kids how to reduce their fears. If not kept under control, fear can be powerful.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} You might encourage positive self-talk, such as saying, “I can handle this” or “I have courage to do this.” Or teach your child to take slow, deep breaths to find courage.

A. Talk about values and courage.

B. Courage has other surprising benefits.

C. The good news is that courage can be taught.

D. Teach your child simple strategies to be brave.

E. Let your child see you step out of your comfort zone.

F. In today's uncertain world, kids will need courage and confidence.

G. Then take time to focus on their courageous breakthroughs.

    Food safety is a problem in all places around the world and people in different areas of the world prepare foods in different ways. The WHO released （发布）five simple rules for preparing food in a safe way. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Key 1: Keep clean.

    The first key tells about the importance of washing. People should wash their hands often——before touching food, while they are preparing food, and any time after they go to the toilet. People should wash all surfaces and equipment used for preparing food. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Key 2: {#blank#}3{#/blank#} 

    People should separate raw生的, or uncooked food from foods that are already cooked and foods that will not be cooked. People should store raw meat, chicken, and fish in containers, or in separate areas. Raw foods should not touch prepared foods.

    Key 3: Cook completely.

    People should cook eggs and meat, like birds, seafood, and animals, especially carefully. These foods may carry more micro­organisms than other foods. Food like soup must be boiled for at least a minute to make it be cooked completely. It is also important that people re­heat cooked food completely.

    Key 4: Keep food at safe temperatures.

    When people are finished with eating, they should keep the left food in a refrigerator below 5℃ and shouldn't store it for too long. At room temperature, about 20℃, the amount of micro­organisms微生物 can increase增加 very quickly. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} They cannot grow as quickly in a very hot or very cold environment.

    Key 5: Use safe water and raw materials.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Damaged or old food may develop harmful chemicals化学物 as it gets older.

A．They call these rules the “Five Keys to Safer Food.”

B．Eat cooked food immediately, while it is still hot.

C．People should also protect cooking areas and food from insects and animals.

D．Keeping everything clean helps people to avoid micro­organisms.

E．People should use safe water and choose fresh foods.

F．Separate raw and cooked.

G．But temperatures above 60℃ or below 5℃ control控制 the growth of micro­organisms.

    Daily to-do lists can help you get focused and organized. Follow these tips to create a good to-do list.

    Notice the order.

    It may help you to develop some sort of system for your to-do list. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. You can even use a number system and mark them from 1 to 5. Items that are marked 1 might be done later, while the 5s are tasks you should deal with first.

    Reduce the list.

    You need to complete tasks or part of tasks one step at a time. If you have 15minutes to spare, find something on the list that you can complete in that time period. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}, but several 15 minutes add up to something huge.

    Add in something fun.

    Your to-do list is no doubt full of things you may not like. That's why adding in fun activities and tasks should also be important. A fun item doesn't feel like work. It may even feel like a break. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}, you'll be more active to get them done.

    Don't list too much.

    It's important not to overwhelm(压垮) yourself. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. If there's too much on your plate or you have to work too fast, you can't possibly enjoy yourself and you'll only end up being frustrated and overwhelmed.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}.

    Your list needs to be organized in a way that makes you feel comfortable. There are many choices nowadays. However, the old-fashioned pen and paper method may work best for you. You can also use the Internet or even your cellphone to keep your list organized.

A. Keep it organized

B. Avoid too much stress

C. Write it down the night before

D. Certainly every item on the list can't be equally important

E. You may think that 15 minutes is not enough to do something

F. When you return to the less interesting items

G. Everything that goes on your to-do list should be something important that you need to do

Benefits of Sports

    Doing sports is a physical, mental and social adventure. It's a great way for children to take a break from academics and release extra energy. It also helps them lead fuller and happier lives as regular sports have proven to improve overall well-being.

    The physical benefits of doing sports are probably the most obvious. Regardless of your fitness level when you start playing sports, you'll notice an increase in your overall fitness once you're involved. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Basketball players focus on strength training; football players work on speed while track athletes train through longer runs. The training process helps promote physical fitness and performances in competitions.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Playing sports contributes to mental health, helping to increase confidence and self-worth. A pat on the back, high-five from a teammate, or handshake after a match really boosts a child's confidence. Words of praise and encouragement from the coach, parents and other players raise the self-worth. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} So after a game, it's a better idea to ask "Did you enjoy the game?" rather than "Did you win?"

    Children who participate in sports might also benefit from the social aspect, feeling part of a group, building up accountability and leadership. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Teamwork involves both being dependable as a teammate and learning to rely on your teammates to achieve a positive outcome. Teamwork breeds accountability and challenges you to be responsible for your actions. Being part of a team gives you an opportunity to be a leader.

    Discipline is another social advantage. Most organized sports require a strict training and practice schedule. As a student-athlete, you need to balance academics and athletics. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    There is no shortage of reasons to find a sport to get involved in. Are you ready to go? Pick one and get moving!

A. It's not just your body that benefits from sports.

B. Therefore, playing sports is going to make you more fit.

C. But remember, a child's self-worth should not be distinguished by victory or loss.

D. If you play group sports, you'll be part of a team that takes direction from a coach.

E. Nearly every sport requires physical activity and the skills needed to be competitive.

F. Among these, learning how to function as part of a team is the most important advantage.

G. Only with strict discipline can you be successful both in the classroom and in the sports field.