Slower Speech For Some School Starters

A recent survey has revealed that a quarter of children starting school in England were unable to communicate at the level expected for their age.

10:53 27 March 2015

A recent survey released by the Early Intervention Foundation found that a fifth of children starting school in England are unable to communicate and struggle to speak in simple sentences or control their behaviour while a quarter were unable to communicate at the level expected for their age. 

 

The foundation's chief executive, Carey Oppenheim, said: "Too many children arrive for their first day at primary school lacking the broad range of skills they need to reach their full potential.

"This can have damaging consequences which can last a lifetime - especially as children with strong social, emotional and communication skills developed in childhood have a better chance of getting a good job and being healthy, than those who are just bright or clever.

 

"The gap in the development [of] social and emotional skills between children growing up in poor and rich families begins at the age of three.

 

"Seeking help as a parent must not be seen as a sign of failure."