ERO research shows more new entrants with low speaking skills

A speech therapist said research which found too many children are starting school unable to speak coherently highlights how difficult it is for parents to access support. Research released from the Education Review Office shows teachers are seeing more new entrants starting school who are only able to speak in sentences of about four or five words. Teachers say Covid-19 and excessive screen time are to blame, but speech therapists say a lack of help is the real problem, Melanie Earley reports.