Boys 'have more difficulty learning to talk'

Almost one in six children have problems learning to talk, and boys face more difficulties than girls, a survey said today.

More than one in five (22 per cent) of boys experience problems with talking and understanding speech, compared with around one in seven (13 per cent) girls, according to a poll of more than1,000 parents of children aged one to seven.

Boys are also twice as likely as girls (five per cent compared with two per cent) to have significant problems with talking.

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The poll was published by Jean Gross, England's first Communications Champion, to mark the start of her new post.

The findings show that almost 17 per cent of children face difficulties with communication.

A quarter (23 per cent) do not receive any help with speech problems, and almost half (46 per cent) did not receive help from a speech and language therapist. Others received help from a teacher, health visitor or nursery and playgroup staff.

The survey found that around six in 10 parents believe the ability to talk, listen and understand is the most important skills for children to develop during their early years.

Ms Gross said: "Our ability to communicate is fundamental and underpins everything else. Learning to talk is one of the most important skills a child can master in the 21st century.

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