Pandemic has delayed social skills of young children, says Ofsted chief

‘Children have had less time in early education, less time interacting with others outside the family,’ says Ofsted’s chief inspector, Amanda Spielman. Photograph: Linda Nylind/The Guardian

An increasing number of young children have been left unable to understand facial expressions after having fewer opportunities to develop their social and emotional skills during the pandemic, the education watchdog for England has said.

Amanda Spielman, Ofsted’s chief inspector, said the worst affected were the most vulnerable children, with those living in smaller homes without gardens typically spending more time on screens during successive lockdowns, which also resulted in delays in learning to walk and crawl.