WEBCHAT 46% of Reception class children not ready to start school, say teachers

People saying it’s because of lockdown.️.️.️ my son is a Covid baby.️ He is turning two in a couple of weeks.️ He eats with cutlery, knows when he needs the toilet, has fantastic language skills (even though he is deaf in one ear!) and even knows how to do simple household tasks (putting clothes in the dirty washing basket etc).️ This has NOTHING to do with the lockdown.️ It’s because of lazy parents who can’t be bothered to teach and properly communicate with their children and shove a tablet in front of them instead.️

With children and adults alike constantly on their devices, is it no wonder kids can navigate around iPads but not know whether they are soiling themselves or not?

Aysia Bibi

Parents don’t have time to teach their kids any more they have to work to pay the bills.️ Most kids go to nurseries from eight months.️ The government don’t care any more about people having a family.️ You must work work work.️.️.️

Jenny Hughes

It’s hard for parents at present.️

Many work long hours, rely on others to help with their children.️ However, basic social skills are important for children, teaches them (within each child’s capabilities) to do things for themselves.️ They gain independence, learn respect for themselves and others and ordinary social skills like toileting, eating properly, basic manners.️ Not everything should be left to teachers.️

If you have children, it’s you who have a responsibility to them and for them.️

How has lockdown meant they have fallen behind? Surely parents spending more time with their kids has meant the kids learn more and quicker? Or are you all suggesting parents didn’t parent and just shoved their kids on iPads the whole time instead? James Grilli

If you choose to have children regardless of whether you work or not, it is up to you as a parent to teach them basic life skills and that continues through their life!