Toddlers have been struggling to speak and problem solve since the draconian Covid lockdowns

Official data has revealed a GROWING number of young children have been struggling to speak since the Covid pandemic lockdown.

One in five children now fail to meet at least one of five key developmental milestones at their assessment between the ages of two and three.

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Tests include language, problem-solving, motor and social skills — and the failure rate is up 21 percent since before the pandemic, according to Office for Health Improvement and Disparities figures revealed by Health Service Journal.

Experts say the increase in the number of children who need help with their social and physical development is worrying.

Alison Morton of the Institute of Health Visiting said: “While the majority of children develop as expected, a significant and growing minority do not.

“The pandemic and its effects are not over yet.

“In many areas, despite best efforts, health visitors are now struggling to cope with growing distress and vulnerability and a backlog of children in need of support.”

Chair of the British Association for Community Child Health, Doug Simkiss, said: “The pandemic has reduced opportunities for children to play with other children – underscoring the importance of nurseries and early childhood settings in language development.

“This will inevitably put pressure on language and language teams, and to a lesser extent on pediatric teams in the community.”

A government spokesman said: “We are committed to ensuring that every child has the best start in life.

“That’s why we’re working to improve support for families, including by funding local authorities to deliver frontline services.”