Meaning of delay:

A state of being below the normally accepted level of learning things is called retardation. It is not abnormal which implies the worst level. On the other hand, it is a retrograde measure of the marked level of learning. Such a backwardness in a child in most contexts makes the child feel isolated. Whatever the reason for this, the teacher at school and the parents at home are expected to know a lot about the children in order to pay more attention to the problems with the children.

Causes of delay:

The reason for the delay with a child can be within the individual or outside of him in the environment. The entire cause cannot be attributed exclusively to hereditary factor or environmental factor. In fact, they are interactive with mutual effect in the following cases.

i) Subnormal physical conditions:

Some children are born with a biologically inherited weak body that lacks normal conditions in the sensory organs. Bart’s research paper says that almost 79% of lag is due to such regressive physiological conditions.

ii) Physical defects and diseases:

Defects in speech, hearing, vision, left-handedness, etc. They are some bodily defects due to the malfunction of the sense organs. Along with one or two of the aforementioned flaws, problems like tonsils, malnutrition, and migraine can take a toll. The child suffers from below normal school performance in school and home study. In some cases, such physical defects may be due to a low measure of innate ability.

iii) Poverty and economic condition:

Poverty in children is another factor that harms children’s health and limits general knowledge. Narrows the mental range of reach of the subject. This is more prevalent among children living in slums. There are also cases from other areas. Children belonging to overcrowded families with limited conditions of economic facilities and comforts are also responsible for the delay in concentrating on their studies.

iv) Emotional and moral conditions:

The emotional and moral conditions of the home can be considered another delaying factor. Daily life at home depends on parental sympathy, adjustments, and flexible guidelines in family affairs. If children are lacking on any level in these matters, they feel thrown into insecurity along with frequent fights.

v) Harsh attitude and parental dominance:

Harsh attitude and excessive parental dominance over children result in neurotic problems that affect normal learning and confidence to meet the standard.

vi) Neighborhood influence:

Neighborhood influence is another contributing factor to the problem of below-average school performance. The unpleasant conditions of the neighborhoods and the streets may not be encouraging children to have good friends to support them in their studies. Bad friends in gangs are also responsible for turning criminals in large numbers.

(vii) Specific factors:

The delay in specific skills such as reading, writing and arithmetic must also be added as factors in the overall delay. Since the total result depends specifically on such factors, the duty of the masters is to detect and help them in time appropriately by compensating them with some other enlightening talents to keep the scales in balance.

Discovering the delay:

Teachers at school and parents at home must play their effective part in discovering the delay and giving remedies. The tips for the same follow:

i) Diagnostic tests ii) Standard tests of sensory perfections iii) Evaluation of emotional characters and temperaments iv) School tests in school subjects v) Continuous observation

Conclusion:

After discovering the defects, appropriate medical treatment or friendly expert advice can be provided. Home conditions and school conditions can be modified. An alternative curriculum and modified teaching method may be suggested. Teachers specially trained in early childhood education must handle children who are behind. Poor parental care and excessive dominance in the home must be stopped altogether. Special care should be taken with specific difficulties, whether of a personal or academic nature.