One of the strangest features of motherhood is that the vast majority of mothers prefer to cradle their  babies in the left arm. Why should this _____41_____ ? The obvious reason seems to be that the majority of 

mothers _____42_____ right-handed and they wish to keep their right hand free. Unfortunately, this explanation 

 _____43_____ apply, because left-handed mothers also favor their left arm for holding their babies. The precise 

figures are 83 percent for right-handed mothers and 78 percent for left-handed mothers. The most likely reason, therefore, is that the mother’s heart is on the left side and, by holding the baby in her left arm, she is consciously bringing her baby closer to the sound of the heartbeat. This is the sound which the baby heard when it was inside the mother’s body and which is therefore connected to peace, comfort, and security. Tests are carried out in baby’s rooms _____44_____ some babies were played the recorded sound of a human heartbeat, and , sure enough, those babies were caused to sleep twice as quickly _____45_____ the others. We also know that the sound of the mother’s heart is able to be heard clearly inside the body and that the unborn baby has well-developed hearing. 

    Among most peoples in the world, children are given names. In the United States children have a family name, 

or a “last name,” and a first name. Most also have a middle name. However, not all people name children in the 

same way.   Some peoples believe that the spirits of those who have died are reborn in babies. To name a baby, the parents 

begin by saying the names of the child’s ancestors. The baby may sneeze, smile, or cry when a certain name is said. 

The parents think that means the ancestor is reborn in the baby. The baby is given that name.

Some peoples change their names. Navaho Indians change their names when they want new ones. The Navaho 

can decide to use the mother’s last name rather than the father’s. They may want an English name in place of a 

Native American one. Or they may change their English name into a Navaho name. The Navaho do not think it 

important to keep the same name. 

In some parts of Africa, a baby’s name is kept secret. No strangers are allowed to learn it. People there believe that the name is part of the child. They think that anyone who learns the name will have power over the child.