Cutting Edge Research

 by David Paul

Good communication in early years key to success at school

Researchers discovered that although social background has a noticeable effect on a child’s readiness for school, what parents do with their children, even before they begin to talk, is actually much more important.

Children who were taken to the library more often and owned more books at two-years-old achieved higher scores on the school assessment tests when they began primary school.

The research also showed that attending pre-school and having parents who taught them a wide range of activities had a positive effect – whereas extended exposure to television lowered their scores.

The Role of Language in Children’s Early Educational Outcomes report (published today – 30 June 2011) looks at how a child’s very early environment – before their second birthday – influences their language and school performance.   Read More



For More on Teaching English in Japan visit our Homepage