A growing number of children are beginning primary school struggling with speech and communication, teachers have warned. A new survey reveals that nine in ten primary school teachers believe speech and language issues have worsened since 2020, raising concerns about school readiness and early childhood development, according to The Independent.
Concerns Over School Readiness and Language Development
Teachers have reported a significant decline in children’s ability to communicate upon entering school, with some struggling to respond to their own names or manage basic self-care tasks.
According to a survey commissioned by GL Assessment, nearly half of primary school teachers said that up to one in five children are behind in their expected language development, while 37% estimated that as many as two in five children are affected.
A coalition of early years organisations, including Parentkind, the Confederation of Schools Trusts, and the Early Years Alliance, has published a set of key skills children should have before starting school.
This includes using the toilet independently, recognising their name, using cutlery, and engaging in short conversations. The aim, according to Felicity Gillespie, director of the charity Kindred Squared, is to address a “deeply worrying gap” between what teachers expect and what parents believe their children can do.
Root Causes: Pandemic Impact and Shifting Parental Habits
Teachers attribute the decline in language skills to several factors. According to the survey, 58% of primary school teachers cited a lack of conversation with parents as a major cause. Increased screen time was also a concern, with 44% pointing to the influence of social media and online entertainment.
Additionally, 34% of teachers believe that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the problem by limiting children’s social interactions during crucial developmental years.
Secondary school teachers have also expressed concerns about language skills, highlighting the decline in reading outside of school and the rising influence of digital media.
Geoff Barton, chair of the Oracy Commission, emphasised the importance of strong verbal communication skills, stating:
“Language, in all its forms, matters. And in an age when everyone is cross about everything, high quality talk and active listening have never mattered more. We don’t want children to be victims who are ‘lost for words’. We want to give them agency in their learning, a voice in their future.”
The Department for Education has welcomed the new school readiness guidelines, with Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson calling them “a vital tool for parents as they navigate the myriad information out there to support their child’s early development.”
The initiative aims to encourage local authorities, schools, and parents to work together in preparing children for a smoother transition into formal education.
