Listening Lesson - Talking about Childhood

"I grew up in Malta. I was brought up by my mother because my parents divorced when I was a baby. As far as I can remember, I had a happy childhood. Being an only child wasn't a problem; I never felt that I wanted brothers and sisters. My mother says that I've always loved music. Even as an infant, music would calm me down if I was crying in my cot. A little later, when I was toddler - around the time I started walking - I used to love banging on things to make a noise. Mum used to call me ' her little drummer boy.' I'm a parent myself now to two children. My kids are like chalk and cheese - they're very, very different different. My eldest son has juvenile tastes considering he's a teenager. Teenage years can be tough on adolescents so perhaps it's just a phase he's going through. On the other hand, my daughter Melissa is only ten, but she's already outgrown playing with toys. She's actually very mature for her age."

Key words

1. grew up - past tense of grow up: to gradually become an adult
2. brought up - past tense of bring up: to care for a child until it is an adult
3. only child - a child who has no sisters or brothers
4. infant - a baby or a very young child. Usually under 12 months old.
5. toddler - a young child, especially one who is learning or has recently learned to walk.
6. used to - used to show something that happened in the past but that doesn't happen now.
7. juvenile - adjective which show a lack of maturity or something that is childish.
8. adolescents - teenagers.
9. outgrown - past tense of outgrow: to lose interest in something as you get older.
10. mature - adjective which shows that someone's behaviour is like an adult's.