Coronavirus lockdowns in England negatively impact children’s speech, study finds

2020, the year of the first childbirths due to the coronavirus pandemic, has had a negative impact on the language skills of the youngest children in England, according to a new study released Tuesday.

Data derived from 50,000 students and from the results of a survey of schools across England by the independent organization Educational Endowment Foundation (EEF) showed a increase in the number of four and five year olds needing language support.

Scientific evidence suggests that a poor communication development can have long-term effects on the language.

The UK government has announced an investment of 18 million pounds (25 million dollars) to strengthen the education provided in the first years, which includes additional support for pupils attending their first year of compulsory education.

According to the findings revealed by the EEF, the measures taken to fight the pandemic have deprived young students of social contacts and experiences essential to enrich their vocabulary.

So the lack of contact with grandparents, the measures of social distancing, the The inability to meet other children to play and the obligation to wear masks in public places meant that the little ones were less exposed to conversations as part of daily activities.

Among 58 English primary schools studied, the 76% observed that students who started school in September 2020 needed more communication support than in previous years.

In addition, the study found that the 96% of schools were concerned about language development and discourse of minors and that the 56% of parents interviewed expressed concern about the start of the school year after childbirth.

According to these data, of the 50,000 four- and five-year-olds who started school in September 2020, between a 20 and 25% more additional language help compared to 2019.

(With information from EFE)

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