高考英语《流行话题 语境识词4500》Unit29 Superbabies Arent Happy Babies素材.docVIP

Unit 29 Superbabies Arent Happy Babies 　　They are drilling their infants in math and reading skills, using flashcards, books and videotapes. They are enrolling their 3-year-old in tennis lessons and entering their 4-yrar-olds in beauty contest and athletic competitions. Now they are trying to educate their kids in the womb with phone-like learning devices.　　They are parents who want their children to be superbabies. As a distinct parental species, they have gained increasing attention in recent years, even as their overzealousness has been condemned by many child-development experts. But no one has presented evidence against the superbaby ethic in a comprehensive, authoritative way --? until now, in a new book by Dr. Elkind, a child psychologist.　　These pushy parents are engaging in a form or miseducation, said Dr. Elkind, Im alarmed by what I see. Though superbaby phenomenon was first noted in upper-middle-class families several years ago, now less advantaged families seem to be adopting the attitudes of wealthy parents. Increasing numbers of American youngsters are pressed to think, feel, and behave like older children and adults.　　The long-term consequences of parental efforts are signs of stress -- stomachaches and headaches, eating and sleeping problems and changes in childrens ordinary patterns of behavior. Preschoolers self-esteem can also b diminished since te tendency of children is to blame themselves when they cant do an impossible task set by an adult. There can be other more damaging effects. Dr. Elkind cites research findings suggesting that the emphasis on academics for young children is contributing to depression among elementary school pupils. More insidiously, when adults decide at an early age what children should learn, it can affect childrens sense of industry: setting goals, getting a job done and having a sense of accomplishment.　 　Its healthy to want a child to excel and do well. But you do that b providing a stimulating environment, rath