Explore the latest Picture News resource here This week’s Picture News poster and big question exploring how we can support others Technology is a big part of everyday life for many children, from learning in the classroom to communicating with others. As it develops, it can also be used in new ways to support people in their daily lives. This week’s Picture News story explores new AI-supported glasses designed to help people with dementia or memory problems. The glasses can recognise objects, provide spoken instructions and adapt to the user’s needs over time, helping them feel more confident and independent. A technology story in the news: a primary school assembly discussion Children explore how the glasses work and who might benefit from them. They learn that the technology has been designed to support people with conditions that affect memory, helping with everyday tasks such as recognising objects or remembering what to do. This provides a starting point for thinking about how technology can be used to improve people’s lives, and the different ways people may need support. Assembly resource used to support discussion about assistive technology PSHE and classroom discussion in primary schools This story links closely to the protected characteristic of disability, helping children to understand that some people may need additional support in their daily lives. Children can reflect on how it might feel to need help with everyday tasks, and consider how tools, technology or other people can provide support. These discussions encourage empathy and help children recognise the importance of inclusion. When looking at the British Values slide, children are introduced to two different viewpoints, each suggesting how the news story might link to a particular British Value. They are encouraged to share their thoughts, consider whether they agree or disagree, and explain which value they feel is most relevant. This approach is also used when exploring the Protected Characteristics, encouraging children to think more deeply about the story and consider whether a different characteristic might be a stronger link, in their opinion. Each week children explore how the news story connects to the British Values and Protected Characteristics Questions to support classroom discussion Teachers might explore questions such as: What is the best way to support people who need extra help? How can technology be used to support people? How might it feel to need extra help with everyday tasks? Do you agree with the viewpoints, or do you think something different? Why? Using current events in primary school assemblies and lessons What is the best way to support people who need extra help? Exploring this question helps children think about how people experience the world differently, and how support can be offered in a range of ways. Stories like this help children connect current events with real life, encouraging them to reflect on inclusion, empathy and how we can support others in everyday life. The reflection page supports the final part of the assembly, helping to draw together learning Explore the latest Picture News resource here
