Children born prematurely can still catch up to their peers in school, despite previous studies stating otherwise.
Researchers at the University of Bristol looked at school test data of 12,586 children in the Children of the 90s longitudinal study, as they felt previous research focused on how these kids perform at school but not how they can make progress.
Despite lower test scores in their early education, the researchers found children can still catch up by the time they are age 11 – in key stage 2.
Senior lecturer at the University of Bristol Dr David Odd led the research and commented: “While we know that children born prematurely are more likely to struggle at school than their peers, we didn’t know what their capacity was to catch up over time.
“With six per cent of births in the UK occurring four weeks or earlier than their due date, it’s important for both parents and the education profession to know [that] compared to their early tests at school, these children perform better than would be expected.”
Dr Odd explained at all four key stage assessments during school, children who were born prematurely had a higher chance of being in the lowest scoring group but had a higher trajectory of improvement, particularly between key stage 1 and 2 (Years 2 and 3). He added: “Those managing support for [these children] should not underestimate their capabilities and plan accordingly.”
The study, funded by Southmead Hospital Charity, aimed to give an insight into long term health and development outcomes of premature kids, to shape the way they are supported as they grow.
Previously speaking to HuffPost UK, Zoe Chivers, from premature and sick baby charity Bliss, said many parents of premature babies worry about how their children will develop at school, but wanted to remind parents that every child is different. “All children develop differently and the same goes for those born premature,” Chivers said. “No two children born premature will have exactly the same needs.”
She advised that some families decide to have their child start reception a little later. “One reason you might want to delay your child’s school start is if your child has fallen into the ‘wrong’ year group because of their premature birth,” she explained. ” You may also feel that your child hasn’t reached the developmental level they need to be at to be ready for school. But it is important that you think carefully about which option would be best suited to your child.”