Many parents don’t think children need to know how to use a book by age 4, study reveals
Many parents don’t think children need to know how to use a book by age 4, study reveals
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Teachers report children starting primary school with delays in basic motor skills. Fewer than half of parents believe their children should know how to use books correctly before starting primary school, a recent survey suggests. The poll, conducted for early years charity Kindred2, also revealed that only 76 per cent of parents think children should be toilet trained before entering Reception.
![[The Prime Minister announced his goal for 75 per cent of children to reach a good level of development by the time they begin school]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/18/12/iStock-1340516764.jpg)
These findings come as teachers report children starting primary school with delays in basic motor skills and lacking core strength. Last month, the Prime Minister announced his goal for 75 per cent of children to reach a good level of development by the time they begin school.
The survey, conducted by Savanta in October and November of last year, questioned more than 1,000 primary school staff and 1,000 parents of Reception-aged children across England and Wales. Overall, 44 per cent of parents said they think children should know how to use books correctly by Reception.
The report said an example of correctly using books was when there was “no swiping or tapping as if using an electronic device”. Primary school staff reported that 28 per cent of children who started Reception in 2024 “incorrectly use books” and one in four (25 per cent) are not toilet trained.
The majority of school staff highlighted children spending too much time on electronic devices (54 per cent) and parents not reading enough to their children (52 per cent) as key reasons why children may not be school ready. Teachers participating in focus groups expressed concerns about children not meeting a range of their developmental milestones.
