Memory and mental arithmetic top list of tutors’ concerns

Following a prolonged period of time away from the classroom, Childcare.co.uk has worked with its tutors to identify the top skill gaps in children aged 7 to 18 years old, with memory, mental arithmetic and spelling the top skills tutors are concerned about.

Memory was the area most concerned about, selected by 96%. Working memory is a key skill children develop throughout their time in education, and plays an important role in processing information and concentration. Tutors identified working memory as being their top area of concern, with two thirds (66%) stating that they’ve noticed students are struggling to remember and recall subject matter and 81% have noticed a decline in concentration.

Mental Arithmetic was selected by 91%. Basic mental arithmetic is taught in key stage 1, with more complicated mental maths introduced in key stage 2, such as multiplying and dividing. As a key academic skill, which is developed throughout a child’s education, tutors identified it as a top concern, with more than half (52%) stating they are currently working with students for exams such as the year 6 SATs arithmetic exam.   

Spelling was selected by 87%. Almost three fifths (58%) of tutors stated that they’d seen an increase in students using text spelling or slang in written academic work, with one tutor further sharing that because it is often an unconscious habit, it is hard to correct. Spelling is judged throughout a child’s education, particularly within English literature and English language, however written essays in subjects such as History and Geography are also marked on spelling and grammar.

To view the list of eight skill gaps, plus the full survey results, click here.

A recent survey of the early years sector also revealed that the majority (75%) of childcare providers have noticed a rise in ‘YouTube accents’ among children, after increased time spent watching American YouTube videos and television programmes during lockdown. Results from the tutor research further supported this, with almost half (48%) stating that verbal communication was an area of concern.

The survey also asked tutors whether they believed long-lasting damage had been done in terms of students’ learning and educational development, to which more than four fifths (82%) of respondents said ‘no’. However, more than three quarters (79%) stated that it could take ‘up to 6 months’ for children to fill the skill gaps.

Childcare.co.uk is a platform which allows parents to search for and connect with babysitters, childminders, nannies, nurseries, private tutors and schools and also allows childcare providers to advertise their services. The site has more than 2 million users nationwide and is the largest online community for parents in the UK having launched in 2009.

Richard Conway, founder of Childcare.co.uk, said: “Many parents will have undoubtedly done a fantastic job through lockdown of juggling childcare, education, work and day to day life, but there are some elements of learning that can only be fully developed in a community environment, where children are surrounded by their peers and guided by professionals.

“If anything, I hope that lockdown will have resulted in a greater appreciation for the tireless work that tutors and teachers put in every single day. I think that it’s important to identify areas of concern, so that we can all work to improve them, but I think the main takeaway is that the majority of tutors are optimistic about the future of our children’s education, it might just mean that kids have to work that little bit harder this school year!”