The emotional bond a child secures with its parents has a greater impact on its education than previously thought, a report suggests. The Sutton Trust study says children’s early attachment to parents has far-reaching consequences for their ability to speak, learn and think. Parents who are insecure themselves find it harder to provide children with security, it says. And the report calls for more help so parents can develop such crucial bonds. The study focuses on the application of the theory of attachment—a key theory in child developement and psychology. This says the degree to which children are secure and resilient as they grow up depends on their own early experiences with their mothers and fathers and how they have bonded.
The report from the Sutton Trust education charity, entitled Baby Bonds, makes the case that it has an important impact on children’s future educational chances as well as their emotional well-being. It is based on an analysis of more than 100 studies on the issue, including home visits and assessments and observations of children in a range of countries. The trust argues that although psychologists have been aware of attachment theory, it has not been seen by policy makers as a key influence on educational attainment. And it asks them to take this into account. The report says when babies and toddlers do not form these strong parental bonds—known as secure attachment—they are more likely to exhibit poor language and poor behavior before they reach school.
And it cites international studies which suggest this continues late into life, with insecure children more likely to leave school early or duck out of employment or training. They are also more likely to suffer from aggression, defiance and hyperactivity later in life.
The Sutton Trust says its analysis of the research suggests that about 40% of children in the UK lack a secure attachment with their parents. Lead author Sophie Moullin said that when her team looked at large scale representative studies in a number of countries they all found, from their observations, that between 38% and 42% of children suffered from poor attachment in all the different study locations. She added: “Secure attachment really helps children with emotional and social development and at school it really helps them to manage their behavior. Shouting, looking out of the window, hitting each other…These are the things that teachers will tell you that are stopping children from learning. It’s really only as we understand more about these behavior problems that we have decided that a lot of it goes back to this early bonding with parents. ”
Research director at the trust Conor Ryan said: “Better bonding between parents and babies could lead to more social mobility, as there is such a clear link to education, behavior and future employment. The educational divide emerges early in life, with a 19—month school readiness gap between the most and least advantaged children by the age of five.
This report clearly identifies the fundamental role secure attachment could have in narrowing that school readiness gap and improving children’s life chances. “More support from health visitors, children’s centers together with local authorities in helping parents improve how they bond with young children could play a role in narrowing the education gap. ”
| The Sutton Trust study |
|
| Introduction |
The study reveals children’s early attachment to parents |
| Method of the study |
Researchers |
| Statistics of the study |
·In the UK, only about 60% of children have a secure attachment with their parents. ·In other countries where the studies were carried out, the numbers are quite |
| Negative effects of insecure |
·A At the age of five, the ·Without secure attachment, future life difficulties such as quitting school, |
| The significance of parental attachment |
Better bonding between parents and babies could lead to a change in people’s social |
| Suggestion |
A |
（二）短文语法填空（1分/题，共分10分）
In Mount Berry, Georgia, people find a group of schools built specially for mountain children. The schools, as well as the mountain itself, are named ___66___ Martha Berry.
Martha Berry was born in 1866. Luckier ___67___ most Georgian mountain children, she received education. But she never forgot other children of the mountains __68____ parents couldn’t afford to send them to school. In 1902 Martha Betty started a school with only five pupils. Now, ninety years later, ___69___ are a number of Betty schools in the area, with ___70___ total of over one thousand students and about five thousand students ___71___ (wait) for their opportunities.
Martha Betty in her later years received many medals and honors for what she ___72___ (do) for the poor mountain children of Georgia, and in 1931 she was named one of the most important ___73___ (woman) in the United States. She never stopped ___74___ (work) for the mountain children ___75___ her death in 1942.
五.语法填空 (20分)
Dear Mr. Costa,
I’m sorry it has taken me so long to write. I’ve been very busy with work and school, but I’ve thought about you often.
How have you been (1) (late)? Did you have a good Christmas and New Year’s? Mac says you’ve been working hard at (2) restaurant and that business is very good. What else have you been doing?
I had a short (3) good vacation. Mac and I went to Chicago for a few days before Christmas, but I had to come back and work (4) Christmas and New Year’s, (5) (include) Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve! Every time something like that (6) (happen), I wonder (7) I really want to work in the hotel business.
The other day I was thinking about the fun (8) we used to have in our English class. I haven’t seen many of our classmates (9) the course was over. In fact, the only one I see very often is Tomiko. I’d really like to get in touch with Franco. Does he ever write to you? If so, could you please send me his address?
Well, Mac and I are going skating and he is waiting for (10) , so I guess I’d better say goodbye now. Write as soon as you can.
Yours ever
B
I am going to tell you an unbelievable story. This afternoon a __41___(poor) dressed gentleman came into my restaurant. Nobody knew who he was and __42___he came from. After __43___(sit) down, he ordered a lot of food. He stared at it and then _44___ (eat) it up very quickly.
To be_45___, we doubted whether the man was able to pay for the food. When he was asked to pay the bill, the gentleman asked if we would mind__46__ (wait) just a few minutes. Then we were _47___ (shock) to see that he took a million pound bank note. __48__(fortunate), we could not change the bank note as it was too large. So I gave this strange but very rich man a _49__ dinner, in the hope__50__he might come to our restaurant again.
第三部分：语法填空（共两节，满分20分，每小题1分）
根据文段内容或提示，填写正确的单词，每空只能填写一个单词。
A
No one knows exactly __31___ the earth began, as it happened so long ago. However, according to a __32___ (wide) accepted theory, the universe began ___33___ a “Big Bang” that threw matter in all directions…..What it was to become was __34___(certain) until between 4.5 and 3.8 billion years ago __35___ the dust settled into a solid globe. The earth became so violent __36___ it was not clear whether the shape would last or not…….People are__37__ (put) too much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which prevents heat from __38____(escape) from the earth into space. As a result of this, many scientists believe the earth may become too hot to live on. So __39____life will continue on the earth for millions of years to come will depend on whether this problem can be __40___(solve).
第二节语法填空(共10小题；每小题1.5分，满分15分)
阅读下面短文，按照句子结构的语法性和上下文连贯的要求，在空格处填人一个适当的词或使用括号中词语的正确形式填空，并将答案填写在答题卡标号为31～40的相应位置上。
Just like other _31__ , English changes and develops when cultures meet and communicate with each other. At first, the English spoken in England between about AD 450 and 1150 was very different __32__ today’s English. It was 33___ (base) more on German than the English we speak at present. Then __34__(gradual) between about AD 800 and 1150, English became less like German because those__35_ ruled England spoke first Danish and later French. These new settlers enriched____36__ ( rich ) the English language and especially its vocabulary. So by the 1600’s Shakespeare was able to make use of _37__ wider vocabulary than ever before. In 1620 some British settlers moved to America .Later in the 18th century some British people ___38__(take) to Australia too. English _39___(begin)to be spoken in both countries. Finally by the 19th century the language was settled and now English is also spoken as a foreign or second language in South Asia and __40___parts of the world.