Numbers don't add up for thousands of children starting school

Families living in disadvantage need greater access to pre-school reading and maths programs so their children can have a stronger start at school, The Smith Family says.

During this year’s National Literacy and Numeracy Week (29 August to 4 September), Australia’s largest children’s education charity is highlighting that without early learning support, thousands more children will start school next year without basic literacy and numeracy skills.

The Smith Family CEO, Dr Lisa O’Brien, said “There is a common misconception that all children begin their school journey with the same literacy and numeracy skills.

“However, research shows that 15.4 percent of all children are developmentally vulnerable in language and cognitive skills before they start school,” Dr O’Brien said. “This increases to one in four children in our most disadvantaged communities.

“It’s vital for the wellbeing of Australia’s children that we continue to work collectively - families, early childhood educators, governments and communities - to ensure disadvantaged children are supported to be school ready, with ongoing targeted support available throughout their school journey.

“The long term consequences of failing to support these children early - to develop the skills they need to catch up to their peers and fully participate at school - are disengagement, absenteeism and a high risk of dropping out and failing to reach Year 12.

“The Smith Family is concerned about the large gaps in educational achievement based on students’ backgrounds.

“We recognise children growing up in highly disadvantaged families may not have access to the learning support and resources they need to develop their early literacy and numeracy skills.

“And we will continue to work with families across Australia to help more children develop the crucial early reading and maths skills to give them that stronger start at school.”

Last year The Smith Family delivered its Let’s Read early literacy program to more than 23,000 Australian children through early childhood services, with 90 percent of parents surveyed indicating they read more with their child following participation in the program.

In addition, its Let’s Count early maths program reached more than 5,000 children last year and is rapidly expanding to benefit thousands more children across the country. Just over half (54 percent) of children who participated were able to count to 20 by the end of the program compared to 37 percent of children of the same age who didn’t participate.

“Both these early learning programs are delivering outstanding results among the children and families we work with,” Dr O’Brien said. “A key factor to their success is being able to support parents in how to engage in their child’s learning from the earliest years.

“Research shows a parent’s engagement in their child’s learning is a bigger factor in a child’s educational attainment than a family’s background. Children with parents engaged in their learning and development, are more likely to do well at school. 

“As a community it’s critical we continue to ensure our most disadvantaged families have access to vital early learning support programs so every child can start school with the basic reading and writing skills they need.”