Nursery World - Let’s radically rethink education

The Montessori approach naturally offers 'elegant solutions' to the many issues raised by The Times Education Commission, published this week says Louise Livingston, head of training at the Maria Montessori Institute

Louise Livingston: 'The findings of the year-long inquiry are particularly pertinent to early years'

The Times Education Commission's final report outlines a 12-point plan for reform of the education sector. It is a fascinating and far-reaching read which raises many questions, brings significant issues into sharp focus and proposes forward-thinking and holistic approaches.

The findings of the year-long inquiry are particularly pertinent to early years: many schools say that since the pandemic they are having to focus on basic care rather than literacy or numeracy in the first year or two of primary education. Some report children arriving at school unable to say their own names, using dummies, drinking from baby bottles and being brought to school in buggies until the age of six or seven. In response, the commission calls for the Government to offer more parenting classes, home visits and family drop-in centres, as well as a 'five-a-day' initiative to encourage parents to talk to and play with their children, similar to the healthy eating campaign.

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