Growing Up in Scotland study
It’s an exciting time for our four and five year olds who are putting on their new school shoes, about to embark on the next stage of their journey through the Scottish education system.
Growing Up in Scotland (GUS), the research study which is tracking the lives of thousands of children right across the country tells us that most of our new P1s are ready to face the daily challenges of learning and being part of a school community.
But not all children are well placed to take full advantage of school. GUS tells us that around one in four children starting primary school will have conduct problems. One in six children have some difficulties relating to hyperactivity or inattention.
There are also wide variations in the cognitive abilities (vocabulary and problem solving skills) of children starting school. Children from higher income households and those whose parents have higher educational qualifications have, on average, better abilities than children from less advantaged households. The gaps in ability are stark – at age 5, compared with children whose parents have no qualifications, those with a degree-educated parent are around 18 months ahead on vocabulary and 13 months ahead on problem-solving ability.
What can be done to address these inequalities? GUS confirms that children who experience lots of playing and learning activities at home are more likely to develop better vocabulary and problem-solving skills before starting school.
Early language development is important. Children with delayed early language development were more likely to have social, emotional or behavioural difficulties at age 5 and less likely to see an improvement in their cognitive abilities during their pre-school years.
All of this tells us that we need high quality pre-school education and help for parents to provide a nurturing, stimulating environment at home where there are lots of opportunities for babies and children to play, talk and read.
Lesley Kelly
Dissemination Officer
Growing Up in Scotland study
Research Summaries
Children’s social emotional and behavioural characteristics at entry to primary school
Changes in child cognitive ability in the pre-school years
Other useful information
‘Starting primary school Top Ten Tips for parents and families’ (Parenting Across Scotland leaflet)
For more information about GUS visit www.growingupinscotland.org.uk
GUS is funded by the Scottish Government and is carried out by the Scottish Centre for Social Research in collaboration with the Centre for Research on Families and Relationships at the University of Edinburgh and the MRC Social and Public Health Sciences Unit in Glasgow.