Pre school Activities and child development
Are our children being abused? In the past pre school activities concentrated on movement, however due to the rapid rise of computer games and our more risk-averse society, children in the early years are not getting the activities that they used to. This is causing many pre school children to be delayed in their motor development in the early years, with resultant delays in the abilities to develop literacy, numeracy and cognitive skills. Nursery education should encourage physical activities and educational toys should be developed that encourage such pre school activities.

The current situation

Educational Psychologists have observed that 'Early Years' children pre school coming into Reception 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). It is thought that the reduction in pre school activities involving motor skills may be the problem in their development.

In Reception

The Educational Psychological Service in the County have designed a series of activities for children on entry to Reception and implemented them in the schools with the result that at the end of the first term, the vast majority of children now reach the expected developmental standard. It would, however be better if the children could learn whilst pre school - for instance in nursery education during the early years foundation stage.

Another Solution

If children could learn whilst pre school and acquire the skills needed through pre school activities 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  educational toyfor pre school children to encourage their early learning. This programme, designed for children in the 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.