嬰兒箱新熱潮風靡全球。這到底是怎么回事呢？《隨身英語》為你解答。

課文內容

詞匯: babies 嬰兒

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! 

詞匯表

newborn 新生兒
maternity 母性的，產婦的
expectant parents 準父母
a bib 圍嘴兒
a nappy 尿布
teething 出牙
a cot 小床
infant mortality 嬰兒死亡率
antenatal classes 產前培訓班
pregnancy 懷孕
a crib 嬰兒床
bond (verb) 培養（感情）
to burp 打嗝
paternity leave 父親產假

測驗與練習

1. 閱讀課文并回答問題。

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. 請你在不參考課文的情況下完成下列練習。選擇一個意思合適的單詞填入句子的空格處。

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. 閱讀課文并回答問題。

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. 請你在不參考課文的情況下完成下列練習。選擇一個意思合適的單詞填入句子的空格處。

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.