The early years are critical for developing the solid foundations we build on for later achievement. By understanding the neuroscience of brain development, we begin to see why experiences in the early years are so important to long term outcomes.
This critical period of a child’s life is characterised by a huge amount of neuronal development. At birth, the brain has reached about 25% of its ultimate development. By the age of three, it’s 80% and that’s before children have even encountered a classroom or a teacher.
Most of the brain is developed before a baby can talk. By five, 85% of a child’s language is in place. Teachers know that we are not starting with a blank canvas when “education” is officially started.
Before a child starts school, they are expected to be developmentally ready to access the learning and development opportunities available to them in Reception, where this is not due to a previously identified SEND.
School readiness refers to the full range of developmental measures, not simply a narrow measure of ‘academic’ attainment. For example, children entering Reception are expected to be able to respond to simple instruction, be able to play/share with other children, eat and drink independently and are expected to be toilet trained (mishaps happening only occasionally rather than frequently).
Children who have not met the developmental milestones expected by school are much more likely to struggle with their literacy, numeracy, physical and social skills.
“It is clear that we need to start a national conversation about the importance of the early years.”
The development gap we see at the start of Reception grows steadily over time and the bigger it gets, the harder it is to close. Almost half of the attainment gap at GSCEs is there to see before children start school.
Then as adults, the children who are behind before they begin their education are more likely to experience poor health and low pay. It is clear that we need to start a national conversation about the importance of the early years.
Have your say
As part of an awareness-raising campaign, Kindred2 have commissioned YouGov to conduct a major survey into school readiness.
If you are a primary leader, EYFS lead, reception teacher, teaching assistant or work closely with the Reception class(es) in your school, we want to hear from you…
In the five-minute survey you’ll be asked what school readiness looks like in your Reception and how it impacts your school. Please feel free to share with colleagues in your school and others. Five participants will win £200 for their school by completing the survey.
Have you voice heard and help build the national picture of school readiness. If you would like to see our report from last year’s survey, please click here.
