There are around forty schools in this constituency and I have always tried to visit each of the secondary schools at least once a year and the primary schools at least once every five years. In recent weeks I have visited Bodriggy, Rosemellin, Connor Downs and Mount Hawke. In particular, I have wanted to understand the impact of COVID-19 on four and five-year-old children now starting at Reception and to hear how schools are managing an exponential rise in children with speech or language difficulties or with social anxieties.
During the Covid lockdowns, parent and baby groups were suspended and toddlers had less social interaction with others. Digital media is also a challenge that has been making matters worse over the last twenty years. Some parents don't appreciate the crucial importance of constantly talking to their babies at a young age and we can all be guilty of spending too much time on our smartphones and not enough time talking or giving genuine face time as opposed to the digital brand that takes the same name.
All the schools I have met are seeing an increase in the number of children who are having difficulties with speech and language when they arrive at school. Children who struggle with language at age five are in danger of falling behind at school. In fact, some of the data shows that they are around six times less likely to achieve the expected levels at age 11. All our schools do some incredible work to close this gap and I am seeing some truly creative approaches but parents are a child’s very first educators, and they can make a difference to their child’s literacy through the moments they share in everyday life.
Recently, I met a local group called “Chat, Play Read” which is supported by the National Literacy Trust. One of the founders behind the group is Michael Foster who was a one time candidate for the Labour Party here in 2015. I have previously spoken to him a couple of times about the work they do and was really pleased to be able to meet Jo Knuckey, one of the local organisers to hear more since it is always something I have believed in strongly. The idea is to rekindle a passion for reading and language and to help support parents with newborn children to understand the importance of this and to develop their confidence to read to their babies and toddlers regularly. Doing so builds the confidence of the child and also paves the way for them be to be able to develop through place based learning ahead of entry to school.
This month, the Department for Education (DfE), in partnership with the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), has launched its Start for Life ‘Little Moments Together’ campaign. The campaign aims to educate parents about the importance of brain development in the first five years of a child’s life, and the crucial role they play, with advice and tips from Start for Life. The National Literacy Trust in Cornwall is a key local partner supporting the delivery of this campaign.
Parents can follow the National Literacy Trust in Cornwall’s Facebook Page for free accessible tips, activities, and local events: Facebook.com/CornwallLiteracyTrust. Parents can also use the National Literacy Trust’s Words for Life website: wordsforlife.org.uk to find similar age-tailored activities to try with their children in the home or while they’re out and about.
With the lasting impact of the pandemic still being played out in schools and the overall well-being of children, it’s vital that we use every resource available to ensure that no child is left behind.
