A PILOT project has been set up to help thousands of Essex children starting school who cannot speak properly.
Children are starting school without a basic vocabulary, the ability to speak in complete sentences, understand instructions or knowing how to take turns.
But Lawford Mead infant school in Chelmsford is one of two schools in the county trialling a scheme which gives teachers ideas to promote communication.
Sue Scott, the special education needs coordinator at the school in Trent Road, told the Chronicle: "We have become increasingly aware that children are starting school without basic communication skills."
Mrs Scott explained that all staff at the school, including the office workers and dinner ladies have been encouraged to involve the children in conversation.
Special events such as a history week and a treasure hunt had prompted good communication, as had teaching the children basic sign language. Now the school has been awarded the project's "silver award" after it was deemed a huge success.
Carole Webster, a primary school teacher for more than 20 years and special educational needs coordinator in schools, now tutors at Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford.
"This is a growing trend and has been for a number of years," she said.
"While we have always seen young children with phonological difficulties – the inability to vocalise what they want to say - we are now seeing more and more children with semantic problems – they cannot say what they want to say because they just do not have a good working vocabulary.
"They are also lacking in their receptive language; that is the ability to understand what they are being told."
The problem has been recognised by the Government which has set up programmes in nurseries, children's centres and SureStart centres.
Without these communication skills children cannot learn to read and write. They can also become frustrated at their inability to communicate which can lead to behavioural issues.
But as to the cause Mrs Webster said she would only comment anecdotally. "Families are very busy these days. As a teacher I would see more and more families where both parents were working," she said.