Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. engage [in] (v.) – to make someone interested and involved in something
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. engage [in] (v.) – to make someone interested and involved in something
Example: Their mother engages them in cooking so they all help
in the kitchen.
2. outdoor (adj.) – refers to something used, performed or
happening outside
Example: Outdoor activities like boating and climbing trees help make
children healthy.
3. address (v.) – to deal with or to solve
Example: The president addressed the education crisis by
meeting with the chairmen of different schools.
4. strategy (n.) – a plan or method for a particular purpose
Example: The government has
come up with a strategy to solve safety
issues in the city.
5. impediment [to](n.) – something that slows down or
stops the development of something
Example: Strong rain is an impediment to tennis and baseball.
Article
Read the text below.
Read the text below.
Experts advise
parents to play more with children and engage
them in outdoor activities after results
of a survey in the UK revealed that parents do not play enough with their
children.
According to the survey
conducted on 2000 parents of children between ages 3 and 15, 13% of parents
were not confident about play while 17% admitted to buying toys and video
games so they are not pressured to play with their children.
Furthermore, 59% of
fathers and 42% of mothers said they spent less than five hours a week playing
with their children because they were too busy.
Adrian Voce, a
campaigner of play, says playing with children is a very basic and important
activity. Moreover, children feel happy when parents play with them.
The survey also showed
that 90% of children watched DVDs and 70% played video games, and only about 33%
still played outdoor games.
To address this situation, drinks company
Ribena, which ran the survey, advises parents to create playtime activities using
ordinary things in the house like cans, pillow cases and old boxes.
UK charity National
Trust, meanwhile, promotes outdoor activities for families. The charity has listed 50 things a child
must try, including climbing a tree, flying a kite and camping.
Voce believes
outdoor play is important as well. He is aware, however, that crime and
traffic are impediments to the
safety of children outside the house. He has called on the government to set
up a national play strategy to provide
safe, outdoor play spaces or communities near children’s homes.
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Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
·
In your opinion, should parents be encouraged
to play with their children? Why or why not?
·
How important is playtime in the growth and
development of a child?
Discussion B
·
Do you think it is safe for children to play
outside in your area or community? Why or why not?
·
How can parents keep their children safe outside
their homes?