Independent – Richard Garner
“Too many parents are underestimating their children’s ability to learn language, according to a report. A poll of parents by charity Save the Children revealed nearly half of those polled (47 per cent) had low expectations of their children’s ability to learn…A briefing by 13 leading scientists from Oxford, Cambridge and University College London urges the Government to ensure at least one qualified teacher in every nursery class to maximise children’s learning potential. They point out that toddlers’ brains are twice as active as adults and that they can form connections at twice the rate of grown-ups. In a joint statement, they argue that Government action is necessary, otherwise these children could be struggling for a decade. “A child’s pre-school years form a critical opportunity for the brain to develop key skills like speech and language,” says their paper. “Our research shows failure to develop adequate language skills leaves children struggling to learn in the classroom.””(more)