pete.owens wrote:I'm a firm believer in pictorial descriptions for everybody and that giving youngsters text is not helping. Very young juniors may not be able to read, or may not have English as a first language and will probably not be familiar with the obscure terminology we use to describe geographic features.
When they start on the white course the don't need control descriptions - just follow the path till they bump into a control, which should set them in the direction of the next one. The only thing they should be checking is the control code - and that is in column B. However, they are starting to get used to the method of presentation and might start to learn the symbols for road, path and junction.
When they move onto yellow they still don't need the descriptions. The control will be visible from the handrail they are following so they are still looking for a kite rather than a feature. However, the information is still there, and they can start to become familiar with some more of the symbols and associating them with features on the ground.
Now onto orange and the description starts to be of use. So it is a good idea that they have already gained some familiarity with the system while progressing through white and yellow. Still at this level navigating to whatever is at the centre of the circle on the map should work, so they can gradually accumulate more symbols.
If we are "helpful" to juniors by providing text descriptions at all local events then their first encounter with pictorial descriptions could be in the start line at the JK. Not the best place to be learning an entire new system.
Thanks Pete saved me writing the same thing!