F2F Class Notes 3rd April (Celeste)

Reading – Older mothers may raise happier children


New research suggests that the children of older mothers grow up to be happier. The study says children will also experience fewer behavioural problems and have fewer social and emotional difficulties. Researchers from Aarhus University in Denmark looked at data from a random sample of 4,741 mothers. Lead researcher Professor Dion Sommer said we become, “more mentally flexible with age, more tolerant of other people”. He said this could be the reason why older mothers do not scold and physically discipline their children as much as younger mothers. He added that, “this style of parenting can contribute to a positive psycho-social environment” as the child grows up.

The findings of the research showed that the average age of the women while pregnant was about 31. Studies show that older mothers worry less during pregnancy and are happier and more positive about becoming parents and towards their children in general. This may mean they are more caring and supportive of their children. Older mothers also tend to be in more stable relationships, they are better off financially and they have had a better education. Researchers also found that children born to older mothers have a better language ability than those born to younger mothers. This may be because older mothers spend more time with their children and talk to them more often.

Vocabulary

scold / scolding / scolded ( scold – did ) / will scold – to talk to angrily

eg. My mom scolded me for not cleaning my room.

eg. I will scold my daughter for not drinking her milk very well.

reprimand / reprimanding / reprimanded ( -did) / will reprimand – when a person of authority scolds sb in a formal way

eg. His boss reprimanded him for leaving work earlier and not finishing all his tasks.

eg. The government reprimanded the company for not paying their taxes.

physically discipline / corporal punishment – physical punishment, as spanking, inflicted on a child by an adult in authority.

spank / spanking / spanked (-t) / will spank – to physically hit sb’s bottom

eg. Celeste’s mom spanked her a few times when she was a child.

better off – happier or in better circumstances

eg. My friend broke up with her boyfriend of 1 year. She is better off without him because he was a jerk.

eg. She is better off at her new job. / She is better off since she changed jobs. / She is better off after she changed to her new job.

children born to older mothers = children of older mothers

children born to Chinese parents = children of Chinese parents

underlined – this sentence is underlined.

– this is a dash

celeste_r@smartyingyu.com ___ this is an underscore

underscore n. – music for a film soundtrack; background for a film or stage production.

Pronunciation

data ( day – tuh )

random ***MMM

tolerant ( tall er – rint ) – endure / to be able to handle sth/sb

general ( jenner – rull )