The proof of just how harmful lockdowns were to children keeps mounting

Not surprising, really.

According to a new report by the UK's Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsed), young children's development, following the pandemic, has been "particularly worrying." The report was based on inspections of 70 early years providers in England in January and February of this year, and according to chief inspector of Ofsted, Amanda Spielman, there are many "lingering challenges".

Worryingly, the report stated that most nurseries had noticed that babies had a much more limited vocabulary, and also struggled to understand facial expressions on a scale not seen before the pandemic.

Speaking to the BBC, Spielman also reveals that the report unveiled a variety of other challenges for young children, including some struggling with potty training.

The report said a few early years care providers suggested the use of face masks had also had a negative impact on young children's language and communication skills.

"Children turning two years old will have been surrounded by adults wearing masks for their whole lives and have therefore been unable to see lip movements or mouth shapes as regularly," the Ofsted briefing said.

Heartbreakingly, one nursery even said children were talking in voices of cartoons they spent so much time watching.

And just like here in Ireland, UK parents are also struggling because there are huge delays in access to both speech and language therapies, as well as mental health services.

'A huge impact'

Julie Robinson, nursery owner of Eagley School House Nurseries in Bolton, told BBC Breakfast she found a difference between children who had been in nursery throughout the pandemic and those who were at home.