Children starting school without basic skills, Stanford warns

Summarised by Centrist

Erica Stanford says teachers are reporting more children starting school without basic skills, including being toilet trained or able to eat and dress independently.

“Children are arriving at school having never held a pencil or scissors, without the oral skills they need, and many cannot identify letters in their own name,” National’s education spokesperson said.

National is proposing a School Start Check before children move from early childhood education into primary school. ECE centres would work with parents to assess readiness, supported by clearer developmental milestones and regular progress reports.

Children needing additional help would be referred to the Early Intervention Service.

“This is about setting expectations, not a pass/fail test and will never stop a child starting school,” Stanford said.

The check forms part of National’s Set Up for Success election policy, which would also ban screen and individual-device use in ECE centres, tightly restrict it in Years 1–3 and introduce age-appropriate limits for older primary pupils.

The writing component of twice-yearly primary school assessments would have to be completed on paper.

Stanford said books, handwriting, conversation and hands-on activities should receive greater emphasis.

“Technology still has a place in education, but it should enhance learning, not become the default way children learn,” she said.

The report does not say how many children lack these skills or show that screen use is the cause. 

Read more at 1News

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