The Impact of COVID-19 Lockdowns on the Language Skills of Young Children
- Submitted by: Stephen Kerr, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.
- Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 January 2023
- Motion reference: S6M-07430
- Current status: Has not yet achieved cross-party support
That the Parliament is concerned about the growing expert opinion that COVID-19 lockdowns have had a detrimental impact on the language skills of young children; is further concerned by a study by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists in Scotland, which found that almost 90% of nursery nurses said that more children had trouble understanding and using basic language; is worried that the loss of language skill could lead to increased risk of behavioural difficulties and future unemployment, and notes the belief that children in the Central Scotland region who are at risk of being in this situation should receive urgent help.
Supported by:
Jeremy Balfour, Miles Briggs, Alexander Burnett, Finlay Carson, Sharon Dowey, Russell Findlay, Murdo Fraser, Meghan Gallacher, Maurice Golden, Pam Gosal, Dr. Sandesh Gulhane, Craig Hoy, Liam Kerr, Alexander Stewart, Sue Webber, Annie Wells, Brian Whittle