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Working-class children overlooked in preschool discussions, study finds

Teachers unknowingly favor certain pupils, leaving working-class kids behind. Could early intervention close this troubling classroom divide?

In the picture we can see some school children are standing on the path with school uniforms and...
In the picture we can see some school children are standing on the path with school uniforms and they are holding some papers in their hands and one girl is talking something near the microphone which is to the stand and behind them we can see a fencing wall and to the top of it we can see a shed with some balloons top it.

Working-class children overlooked in preschool discussions, study finds

A new study has revealed that children from working-class backgrounds get fewer chances to speak in preschool group discussions. These youngsters are about 20% less likely to be called on by teachers compared to their peers. The findings highlight an unintentional but persistent bias in early education settings.

The research shows that teachers, without realising it, often overlook working-class children when they raise their hands. Even when these pupils speak up on their own, they receive fewer positive responses. This unequal speaking time stems from unconscious biases, societal stereotypes, and mismatches between school culture and home environments.

The findings underscore a clear disparity in classroom participation for working-class children. Without intervention, these early gaps may persist throughout their schooling. Addressing unconscious biases in teaching could help create fairer learning opportunities for all pupils.

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