Case study

Abbas is 4 years old and has just joined your room having arrived in your town from Syria. You have observed that Abbas, although he does speak and understand English, is not joining in with the other children when they are playing.

• Why do you think this might be?
• How might growing up in a country at war have impacted his relationships?
• How might this have impacted his social brain development?
• What could you do to encourage mirror neuron development?

It is rare that there is just one way to respond to a scenario or situation, so do not consider that the responses you have to the above scenario will be judged as right or wrong. Share your scenario with a work colleague or friend and ask them to tell you whether they think you have responded appropriately. Ask them to challenge your response if necessary. You do not need to submit this task for assessment unless asked to do so by your assessor.