Children learn in different ways

Dr Leonard Restall B Ed, M Ed (Hons), New Zealand, formerly from Barking, writes:

The contribution given in last week’s Post to help parents to assist their children studying is a very important one during this time when most of the learning is expected to be done at home. Much help would have been already given by their school but some extra help by parents could make it more profitable.

Not all children are the same so it is vital that something is known about the individuality characteristics of the child before expecting all methods to have the best effect.

Some children may be visual learners, prefer to learn by seeing and reading or from watching a visual, presentation, other, auditory, from hearing or talking about a topic, and then there are those that are practical hands-on learners - sometimes known as tactile learners - and some from using their bodies in movement, kinaesthetic learners.

It is not that we can’t learn by all means, but when we learn by using what we are best suited for the results are so much better and usually enjoyable.

Some basic principles for studying are, see that the style will suit the individuality type of the child. Then the subject or material to be learned needs to be interesting for the child, if not try to make it so by relating it to some event that the child may have liked. Try to establish the value that is gained from learning the subject, or topic.

Don’t do it for too long. If it is for a one or two-hour period, similar to a lesson at school, split it into parts of no more than 20 mins with a short break in-between parts. Use non-vocal music such as classical or Baroque type played at a low volume in the background.

At the end of the study, period let or child explain a couple of main points learned during the study, or mention those that they liked or disliked. Encourage with positive affirmations, such as “you have done so well”, “I am proud of you”.

Please have jab when invited

Cllr Khaled Noor, Muslim Professionals Forum Chair, writes:

People from the black and ethnic minority (BAME) community feature high in the coronavirus statistics: we are disproportionately more likely to become infected and to die; and we are more likely to be on the front line, risking our lives to help others.

We mourn each and every death from our diverse communities. We pray for all those whose lives have been cut short and we send our condolences to every bereaved and grieving family.

As the virus continues to take lives, we urge everyone to follow the lockdown guidelines. Stay home; observe social distancing; wear a mask – and encourage everyone to have a vaccination when they are invited.

Start of healthier drinking habits

Dr Richard Piper - chief executive, Alcohol Change UK (the charity behind Dry January), writes:

Back in December we estimated that 6.5 million people would be taking part in Dry January - then on January 4 the third national lockdown was announced, and we began to see people saying Dry January was “cancelled”.

Yet what we saw, in fact, was a further surge in people downloading the official app, Try Dry. Downloads this year have been a huge 35 per cent higher than last.

Research has shown that seven in 10 people who do Dry January with our support are still drinking less six months later. So whether you used Dry January to bust lockdown drinking habits, kickstart cutting down, or test out going alcohol-free longer-term, February 1 isn’t the end – it’s the start of healthier, happier drinking habits year-round.

The Alcohol Change UK website offers information and advice for managing your drinking all year round.

Ban CCTV with facial recognition

Barking and Dagenham Post: A camera being used during trials at Scotland Yard for the new facial recognition systemA camera being used during trials at Scotland Yard for the new facial recognition system (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

Sian Berry AM, Green Party candidate for mayor of London, writes:

London’s new rules for developers of new public spaces must ban the use of facial recognition cameras, and I’m calling on the mayor to make this happen.

Since 2016 I have worked with campaigners to win new policies from the mayor to stop arbitrary rules being imposed in new public squares. The freedom to sit, socialise and exercise free speech in public spaces is so important, but it is being eroded every time a new public space is created, and developers ban activities like playing, protesting or simply being homeless.

We have also seen the even more sinister practice of private CCTV fitted with facial recognition being used on us secretly without our consent.

In 2017 the London Assembly passed a motion I proposed for new planning policies to fix these problems when new spaces are planned, but we have waited more than three years for the mayor to produce the policy he promised.

A draft new Public London Charter is now out for consultation.
I hope many of you will join me and call on the mayor to make this policy stronger and to ban facial recognition in private CCTV systems in the new public spaces it will control.

Help available for RAF veterans

Air Vice-Marshal Chris Elliot, chief executive, RAF Benevolent Fund, writes:

While the vaccine rollout out across the country provides some hope, social isolation and loneliness poses a real threat to our elderly this winter, among them many former RAF personnel and their partners supported by the Fund.

To help combat this, last year the RAF Benevolent Fund introduced a weekly Check and Chat service to support members of the RAF Family experiencing loneliness.

I speak to one such gentleman every Tuesday. He lives alone and spent much of 2020 totally isolated, and for him, this service truly is a lifeline. We chat about what he’s been up to, what he’s cooking for tea, to his time in the RAF and often I’m the only person he will speak to for days.

The Fund also facilitates weekly Telephone Friendship Groups, provides access to a Listening and Counselling Service, relationship counselling support, and an online wellbeing portal to help support emotional wellbeing amongst the veteran community.

We are calling on people to consider whether they know any RAF veterans, or their spouses or widows, who may be experiencing loneliness.

  • To refer someone to the RAF Benevolent Fund, please visit rafbf.org or call 0300 102 1919.