Theatre project for kids to remedy social skills lost during covid lockdown

A Bristol children's theatre company plans to launch a new project to help improve children's speaking and listening skills, which worsened during the coronavirus lockdowns. 'Travelling Light' theatre company in Barton Hill will launch 'Light up Language' next month, working with local nurseries and primary schools.

The English Speaking Union charity would be supporting the project, with evidence showing that 72 per cent of parents of children aged between five and nine said their child had only partially or not at all regained the social skills lost during the pandemic.

Lizzy Stephens, Travelling Light’s Artistic Director, said: “We’ve created 'Light up Language' to respond directly to a need identified by our local schools and early years settings.

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“There is a lot of evidence at national level that children are struggling with increased social, emotional and communication difficulties, and this is echoed by our local schools and nurseries. They tell us that post-Covid, there are significant gaps in learning for children who experience socio-economic disadvantage, and that this is impacting speech and listening skills as well as children’s ability to regulate and understand their emotions.”

Light up Language would be funded by Paul Hamlyn Foundation’s Arts Based Learning Fund. The theatre would initially work with Hannah More Primary School, Brunel Field Primary School, Easton Community Children’s Centre, Cashmore Early Years Centre and Little Hayes & Speedwell Nursery schools.

Light up Language followed the theatre's project Light Up School Learning. Evidence from an independent evaluation found that it improved pupils’ learning and local teachers, artists and pupils reported improved confidence, speech and listening, and wellbeing.

Jet Davis, Headteacher at Little Hayes Nursery, said: “We are hugely looking forward to working with Travelling Light again on the Light Up Language project, especially having had the opportunity to take part in the Little Lights Pilot project. It was inspirational for both children and staff, really allowing the children to explore their own stories in a way that was engaging, involving and a lot of fun.”