As reported by BBC News, education leaders report concerns over delayed social and developmental skills in children entering school, pointing to screen time and isolation during lockdowns
Children who spent their early years in lockdowns are starting school with “poor social and developmental skills” caused by screen time and isolation, education leaders have said.
A report co-authored by Professor Judy Clegg, a speech therapist at the University of Sheffield, and produced by the Centre for Young Lives and Child of the North think tanks found that some new starters were still wearing nappies and using pushchairs.
The report found almost a third of four-year-olds could be classed as “not ready” for full-time classroom learning.
Anne Longfield, founder of the Centre for Young Lives, said: “I have heard many concerning experiences from school staff about children arriving at reception wearing nappies, still using buggies, and unable to communicate at the expected level or to socialise with other children.
“Some of these children have developmental problems, struggle with speech and behaviour, and can require significant extra attention and support from already overstretched schools.”
Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT, said: “The disruption caused by the pandemic undoubtedly had an impact on the development of some young children, and many school leaders have reported concerns around speech and language development in particular.
“High-quality early years education is one of the nearest things we have to a silver bullet in education and is vital in helping to narrow the gap between children from disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers.”
He added it was positive that the new Labour government had made clear that early years was among its top priorities.
Be the first to comment