YOUR article “literacy hour is leaving children tongue-tied” (TES, May 3) defies common sense. Are previously articulate children suddenly become tongue-tied because of an hour spent reading and writing?
If so what do they do in the other five-and-a-half hours in school, the six to seven waking hours at home, not to speak of what they have done in the five pre-school years when most of us learn to speak anyway?
If a modified curriculum for one hour a day really could have this effect (and one would like to see children tracked for several years), then could someone please devise another one-hour programme devoted to developing good behaviour, ability to concentrate, and to work independently.
That really would lighten the load!
SR Kibel
39-40 Molyneux Street
Maida Vale
London W9
