Home learning campaign gets backing

BARNSLEY Council is supporting a new national campaign to empower parents and carers to help youngsters develop their early language and communication skills before starting their journey through school.

The new Home Learning Environment (HLE) campaign was launched earlier this month by the Department for Education, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Social Care’s Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, to encourage parents and carers to improve their child’s early language skills through chatting, playing and reading.

Research shows that some of the most disadvantaged children in the UK start school months behind their peers in terms of language skills and the gap can grow year-on-year into adult life.

Coun Trevor Cave said:

“Particularly in light of the detrimental impact Covid-19 has had on the early language development of children born around that time, it’s great to hear that we’re supporting the nationwide Home Learning Environment Campaign, here in Barnsley.

“The hub is a wonderful resource jam packed with ideas and activities that you can do with your child and shows how easy it is to incorporate them into everyday life.

“One thing that stands out to me is that all these activities are fun and things that I’m sure everyone in the family could get involved with, as well as being rewarding.

“We want every child in Barnsley to reach their potential and supporting our children to improve their early language skills will go a long way in achieving this by laying the foundations they need to prepare for school and their future.”