Learning points
Now look again at Scott’s timeline, which also has learning points added.
Figure 2.6 Scott’s timeline with learning points added
Show description|Hide descriptionTen text boxes connected by lines illustrate Scott’s experiences over time. In addition, six coloured boxes represent the learning points he gained from some of the events and experiences in the timeline. The timeline starts in the bottom left-hand corner of the diagram, with the first two boxes representing low points in Scott’s life when he left school in 2010 and had personal and family problems. Time moves from left to right across the diagram. Box three represents a four-year period between 2010 and 2014 when Scott attended college, completed an NPA childcare course and in 2013 began an HNC in Social Care. This made him think ‘I am resilient. I know how to stay positive.’ At this time he was also volunteering with children’s organisations (box four, on the left of the diagram) and experienced a high point by completing his charity fundraising despite physical challenges that were ongoing since school (box 5, top left on the diagram). Learning points here are ‘I enjoy learning. I can gain qualifications’ as well as ‘I can achieve goals I set myself. Physical goals make me happy.’ Another high point is represented in box six by the support Scott received from the college counsellor in 2012. Other positive support was received from a young adult care worker and other young adult carers in 2013 (box seven). Both these experiences made Scott realise that ‘it’s good not to feel isolated, and it’s good to talk through troubles’. Scott has had ongoing college placements. including one with adults with learning disabilities in 2014. Boxes nine and ten (on the right of the diagram) represent further positive events in Scott’s life, with his cleaning job at a carer’s centre since 2013 and finally being an advocate for carers at national events, which he has also done since 2013. Scott’s final learning point is the realisation that ‘My confidence is increasing. I can manage different responsibilities.’ Overall, the boxes in Scott’s timeline form a slight upward trend from bottom left to top right as his experiences become generally more positive over time.
Figure 2.6 Scott’s timeline with learning points added Scott’s learning points are linked to different areas of life, as well as over time. Very early on he realised he enjoys learning and that gaining qualifications brings confidence.
He made it through some tough personal experiences and family troubles, and feels proud to have got through these difficult times. This made Scott feel resilient and he has learned how to look on the positive side of life.
Gaining support from the young adult carers group was a very positive experience. Scott learned that it was not good for him to stay isolated, and that being part of a supportive group has helped him develop his confidence. He has learned that his well-being is also supported by setting and achieving the physical goals of fundraising activities. These three boxes are part of Scott’s ‘ups’.
Listen to what Scott says about what he has learned from experience.
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Through reflecting on his experiences Scott realised that he applied his skills and personal qualities to manage his caring and studying responsibilities.
Here are some key comments from Scott’s story:
- had very poor mental well-being for a while
- managed to keep going with his studying and caring
- benefited from the support from other young adult carers
- tries to focus on the positive as much as possible.
Scott now:
- has grown in confidence
- recognises his own resilience and coping skills
- has an understanding of what he’d like to achieve and how to get there.
We all experience ups and downs in life: good points and bad points. There may be positive and negative outcomes from each experience as Lesley and Scott’s experiences show.
Whatever our experience, we are learning all the time. Learning is not something that stops when we leave childhood behind. Learning is lifelong. Some learning is about ourselves – the type of person we are and our strengths and qualities. Other learning is about skills, qualifications, understanding ideas and concepts, or the society we live in.
If you created your own timeline you might want to try out the follow-on activity.