Kid: “Mom, Alex’s baby sister is so cute! Can I touch her face and pinch her cheeks?”
Mom: “Oh, sweetie, it’s really nice that you think she’s cute, but you shouldn’t touch the baby’s face or pinch her cheeks.”
Kid: “Why, Mom? I want to! She’s so tiny and cute!”
Mom: “I understand you think she’s cute, but we shouldn’t touch a baby’s face. Your hands could be dirty, and babies are very young. Their immune systems aren’t strong enough to fight off germs and viruses.”
Kid: “But what if my hands are clean? Can I touch her then?”
Mom: “Even if your hands are clean, it’s still better to be careful. Babies are really delicate. Instead of touching their face or pinching their cheeks, you can ask the baby’s mom or dad if it’s okay to shake her hand or gently touch her arm.”
Kid: “Oh, so I can ask before I touch her?”
Mom: “Exactly! It’s always best to ask first, just to be sure. Babies need a lot of care, and it’s important to respect their space.”
Kid: “Okay, I’ll ask first next time. Thanks, Mom!”
Mom: “You’re welcome, honey! You’re being very thoughtful. Now, let’s go play with Alex instead!”
Vocabulary List
Cute [kjuːt] (adjective) – Something that is very pretty or adorable.
Example: “The puppy is so cute!”
Pinch [pɪntʃ] (verb) – To squeeze something gently, usually with your fingers.
Example: “Don’t pinch the baby’s cheeks!”
Germs [dʒɜːrmz] (noun) – Tiny bacteria or viruses that can make you sick.
Example: “Washing your hands helps get rid of germs.”
Immune system [ɪˈmjuːn ˈsɪstəm] (noun) – The body’s system that protects it from sickness.
Example: “A baby’s immune system is not as strong as an adult’s.”
Delicate [ˈdɛlɪkət] (adjective) – Fragile, easy to hurt or damage.
Example: “The baby is very delicate, so we need to be gentle.”
Respect [rɪˈspɛkt] (verb) – To treat someone or something with care and kindness.
Example: “We should respect the baby’s space and not touch without asking.”
Shake hands [ʃeɪk hændz] (verb) – To greet someone by holding their hand and moving it up and down.
Example: “You can shake hands with the baby’s parents if they say it’s okay.”
Grammar Tips:
- Use “Can I…?” to politely ask for permission.
Example: “Can I shake the baby’s hand?” - Use “It’s better to…” to give advice or suggestions.
Example: “It’s better to ask the baby’s parents before touching her.” - Use “instead of…” to suggest an alternative action.
Example: “Instead of pinching her cheeks, you can wave at the baby from a distance.”
FILL IN THE BLANK
Kid: "Mom, Alex’s baby sister is so ! Can I touch her face and pinch her cheeks?"
Mom: "Oh, sweetie, it’s really nice that you think she’s , but you shouldn’t touch the baby’s face or pinch her cheeks."
Kid: "Why, Mom? I want to! She’s so tiny and !"
Mom: "I understand you think she’s , but we shouldn’t touch a baby’s face. Your hands could be , and babies are very young. Their immune systems aren’t strong enough to fight off and viruses."
Kid: "But what if my hands are clean? Can I touch her then?"
Mom: "Even if your hands are clean, it’s still better to be careful. Babies are really . Instead of touching their face or pinching their cheeks, you can ask the baby’s mom or dad if it’s okay to shake her or gently touch her arm."
Kid: "Oh, so I can ask before I touch her?"
Mom: "Exactly! It’s always best to ask first, just to be sure. Babies need a lot of care, and it’s important to their space."
Kid: "Okay, I’ll ask first next time. Thanks, Mom!"
Mom: "You’re welcome, honey! You’re being very . Now, let’s go play with Alex instead!"