Delays in children pre school development

The Problem

Early Years Teachers and Educational Psychologists have noted that children pre school coming from a nursery or Sure Start are not acquiring the abilities previously expected of them. Indeed more than half the children tested in one County failed to achieve the expected goals on entry to Reception Class. These failings carry forward with children being unable to concentrate in class and also lacking in their motor skills (poor co-ordination).

Solution 1

In the County, teachers are now implementing structured motor programmes on children on entry to Reception to aid child development with the result that at the end of the first term, the vast majority now reach the expected standard. It would, however be better if the children could learn whilst pre school.

Solution 2

If children could learn whilst pre school and acquire the skills needed then they would not have to go through the motor Programme in the first term. Realising this, an Educational Psychologist has produced a Child Development Programme for children pre school in the early years. This programme, designed for pre-school children in the Early Years Foundation Stage ( aged 3-5) concentrates on developing key skills in literacy, numeracy, motor skills and information processing.  Pre school children can be taught both at home and benefit from nursery education, as well as Sure Start centers. They enjoy the preschool activities and the programme has the advantage over educational toys in that more than one facet of their early learning takes place.