Toddlers 'will learn nothing from TV'

The notion that young children can learn productively by watching television is widely dismissed by scientists who study the developing brain. The time between the ages of 6 months and 3 years is accepted as a critical phase for learning skills such as language, and research suggests that this is best accomplished by interaction with adults.

A study by Patricia Kuhl, of the University of Washington, in Seattle, for example, has found that children aged 10 months learn sound patterns easily by playing with an adult, but learn nothing at all by watching the same adult performing the same games and exercises on a television screen.

Similar research has shown that in young children, watching television, videos or DVDs is no substitute for real encounters with adults and other children. Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, of the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London, said that the best evidence suggested television for toddlers was a waste of time. "There is a body of research showing that, in a variety of contexts, young children learn optimally with another human, rather than with a video of a human," said Dr Blakemore, the co-author, with Professor Uta Frith, of The Learning Brain.

Dr Blakemore added: "If an infant is watching TV for an hour a day, then fine. So long as they are also playing with adults and children for most of the day, it is not going to do them any harm, though it will do no good either.

(Mark Henderson, Science Correspondent, The Times, 12.05.06)

Setting our intention pure……

Intention, purity of ones intention is something which Islam highly recommends…

From Quran and hadith of Prophet SAW it is clear that purity of intention is a must in every little or bigger good deed or worship…We should never do anything as to show off to others…Others might not know what is in our hearts.They can only hear what we say or see what w do, but Allah has knowledge of what we hide and what we reveal…Hence we should never do things so as to be seen of others…It’s a sign of, un gratitude and hypocrisy..

When we set our intentions pure, when we do everything we do for the sake of Allah, even helping an elderly cross the road becomes an act of worship…when ones intention is pure, working, eating, everything is done with sincerity….He becomes a thankful servant of Allah….

This world is not eternal..Whats eternal is yet to come..As Muslims we should always keep this in mind..

However it is in this temporary world we can build our fate to come in the hereafter which is eternal.

We have the freedom to choose the right path…We have the freedom to avoid the wrong path…This freedom has been granted by Allah SWA.

The pleasures of this world is only temporary..As a saying goes, “Seek that which is eternal to that which is temporary.”

Ones religious obligations or duty can be exercised in all spheres of life…Speaking ill of others, lying all these are acts of insincerity….which as Muslims we should avoid..These are things which are never to be taken lightly…Talking bad about others or backbiting is strictly prohibited in Islam. It is very clear how bigger a sin it is, yet day by day, we see Muslims who do this..Muslims who forget this…..As Muslims we should try hard to give up this bad habit which we exercise knowingly or un knowingly.

Who ever who wishes to be a better Muslim should instill sincerity in all of his actions…and let go of negative feelings towards others…….His every action is with pure intention and done for the sake of Allah……Such people are the people who strive hard…..to perform acts of worship to Allah SWA, and to help fellow brothers and sisters and never to look down on any one, and be among those who look at others only with sincerity…….May Allah SWA make us among the sincere…and among those who are pure of heart…

Promise

In mutual dealings in social life, it often happens that a person gives his word to another. There is apparently no third person or group between the two. How ever as Muslims we should always keep in our mind that Allah is the supreme witness and Allah knows everything. That is why fulfilling ones promises is so important.

A Muslim therefore should be extremely sensitive about giving his word. His conviction is that every commitment made between two persons is in Allah’s supreme knowledge and he knows that he will be accountable for its fulfillment. This compels him to be highly responsible as regards his promises. Whenever he gives his word to anyone he makes a point of keeping it.

Many other virtues come in the wake of the regular fulfillment of promises. One of these is mutual trust.

In a society where the mutual trust exists, there is no discord and dissension between the people, there is an atmosphere of confidence and peacability as there is no fear of promises being broken.

Readiness to fulfill promises is a commendable trait; it is iman (faith) that makes one the possessor of this highest of human virtues.

Maulana Wahidduddin Khan

Hulhumale a developing City?

Hulhumale no doubt provides shelter to plenty of Maldivians. If not for Hulhumale perhaps Male’ would have been much and much more crowded. It can be said that Hulhumale does ease the pressure on Male’ the capital city of Maldives. But as a separate island, can it be defined as a developing city?

Supposing that the capital City Male is not 20 minutes away from Hulhumale, are the basic services available from Hulhumale?

Any one who wishes to take a passport photo too has to take the 20 minutes ride to Male’. I heard there is someone who visits houses and takes passport size photos in Hulhuame? Isn’t it great?

If you find yourself or any of your relatives seriously ill, would you prefer Hulhumale hospital to the 2 hospitals in Male’? Would it be safe? Are the services in Hulhumale hospital comparative to the services available from Male’ Hospitals?

Supposing you can afford to take your kids to Male schools, i.e. you have the means and finance as well, would you prefer Hulhuamle schools to that of Male’? But then again I guess one could never make a better choice regarding this issue. Cos even if the education is good in certain schools, the conduct of children in such schools becomes a bigger issue……….The international school which started recently in Hulhumale no doubt provides a glimpse of hope..But how many people can afford to send their kids to the international school?

How about one who wants to buy some office shirts, pants and shoes? It’s that 20 minutes ride he too has to take…….Its like that 20 minutes ride in the overcrowded ferry is the price people living in Hulhumale have to pay to the shelter provided for them.

The talk of a bridge between Male and Hulhumale is too much to hope for in the near future. People living in Hulhumale have to go to Male first to get in to the airport even, where as Hulhumale and the airport or Hulhule is connected by land...

At night the island looks haunted and isolated. Not much light…few people can be seen on the road….

Still people in Hulhumale shouldn’t they be thankful, to the shelter provided for them? People in faraway islands have to travel far more to get in to capital city than people of Hulhumale….Isn’t it?

Hence Hulhumale can it be defined as a shelter 20 minutes away from capital City with minimum services?

BEAUTIFUL SAYINGS OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD (S.A.W)

1. Part of a man's good observance of Islam is that he leaves alone what does not concern him!

2. Lies, darken the mouth and slander infuses the torments of the grave!

3. It is not permissible for a man to keep apart from his brother for more than 3 days!

4. Wherever you are fear Allah; if you follow an evil deed with a good one, you will obliterate it, and deal with people with a good disposition!

5. Let the food cool before eating for there is no Barkat otherwise.

6. The believers whose faith is most perfect are those who have the best character!

7. Modesty and faith are both companions: when one is taken away the other is taken!

8. A man slips more by his tongue than by his foot!

9. There are two favors of which many people are unmindful: health of body and calmness of mind!

10. Do not consider any kindness insignificant, even meeting your brother with a cheerful face (every act of kindness is sadqa) !

11. A good word is better than silence and silence is better than evil talks!

12. A father gives his son nothing better than a good education!

13. Pleasing your parents is to attain Allah's pleasure and disobedience to your parents is expressing disobedience to Allah!

14. Paradise lies under the feet of thy mother!

15. No dutiful son gives his parents a kind look without Allah recording to his credit an approved pilgrimage for every look! (Hajj Sawaa