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Parents urged to talk to their babies and toddlers

A new campaign is encouraging parents to talk to their children from an early age.

The campaign by the basic Skills Agency aims to help improve skills such as reading, writing and numeracy following a survey of headteachers in Wales which found increasing numbers of children were starting school with poor speaking and listening skills.

According to headteachers surveyed, 50 per cent of children start school lacking vital skills that are needed to start learning effectively.

Two thirds of those polled said they thought the standards of these skills had fallen over the last five years.

And 90 per cent of teachers said that talking to, listening to and playing with babies and young children was "absolutely essential".

Educational experts say talking and listening to babies and toddlers can help their development but Alan Wells, director of the Basic Skills Agency said the interaction between many busy parents and their children was just "a daily grunt".

"Many parents simply don't know how to communicate and play with their children in a way that will develop their speaking and listening skills," he said.

"We hope to help parents develop creative ideas about ways in which they can help their children develop essential skills through activities, songs and games.

"We know that children who have not developed effective speaking, listening and counting skills by the time they enter primary school will be at a disadvantage in all subjects across the curriculum.

He said they were keen "to break the cycle of underachievement which puts so many young children at a disadvantage".

Education Minister Jane Davidson said learning to communicate from a young age would give children "a flying start when it comes to education".

"Speaking, listening and interaction between parents and their toddlers and babies will develop the formative skills they need for primary school, ensuring they can learn and socialise with other children and teachers," she said.

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