Study Reveals Students Treating Books as Mobile Devices in Classrooms

A recent report has uncovered a concerning trend: approximately one-third of children are starting school without the ability to handle books correctly. Alarmingly, many of these young learners are attempting to swipe or tap pages as if they were using smartphones.

This alarming data comes from a survey conducted by the early years charity Kindred Squared, revealing that nearly a third of pupils entering reception last year lacked proper book-handling skills.

The report also highlighted that one in four children were not toilet-trained upon beginning school, while about 28% were unable to feed and drink independently.

Impact of Screen Time on School Readiness

Educators involved in the study attributed the lack of school readiness to excessive screen time among children and their parents. The survey indicated a rise in the percentage of pupils starting reception unprepared, with figures climbing to 37%, an increase from 33% in 2024.

Notably, regions such as the North East, West Midlands, and North West witnessed significant declines in school readiness. Teachers reported dedicating approximately 1.4 hours daily to changing nappies, which detracts from over two hours of valuable teaching time due to the children’s deficiencies in basic skills.

Felicity Gillespie, the chief executive of Kindred Squared, commented, “This is no longer just a classroom issue; it is a systemic crisis fueled by stretched school resources, low expectations, the rising cost of living, and by parents who lack the right information and understanding early enough to truly support their children’s development.”

A new report suggests nearly a third of children try to swipe books like smartphones when they start school According to a survey by Kindred Squared, 25% of kids also struggle with basic life skills pic.twitter.com/RjFj3mgRnz

— dexerto (@dexerto) January 23, 2026

The UK government aims for 75% of children to be school-ready by 2028. According to Department for Education statistics, 68.3% of children achieved a good level of development by the conclusion of reception in the 2024–2025 academic year, reflecting a modest increase from the previous year.

In contrast, a separate survey of parents revealed that 88% believed their child was ready for school, with more than one-third feeling their child was better prepared than many of their peers.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the school leaders’ union NAHT, emphasized the importance of increased support before children commence their school journey. He remarked that early identification and intervention for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) could yield significant benefits.

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