I could try to be understanding about this. But I can’t.

Because, how on earth did we get to the point where kids are turning up at school in nappies, and unable to hold a pencil?

If someone’s kid can’t do those things by the time they turn five and start school, then they have failed.

The same goes if they’ve let their kid spend so much time on devices that they’re incapable of having a conversation.

In case you think I’m lumping kids with genuine learning and physical challenges together with kids who can’t do these things because their parents or caregivers have failed them, I’m not.

But when you have National wanting to ban screen time in early childhood centres and limit screen time for Year 1 to Year 3 primary school students so they can focus more on things like learning to hold a pencil and write, you know something’s gone wrong.

You also know things have gone wrong when you hear Education spokesperson Erica Stanford wanting to broaden pre-school checks, because kids are turning up not even knowing the basics.

This is the part of this new policy that I really like. It’s sad that it’s needed, but I like it.

And if you're thinking it’s not all that bad because these kids will eventually catch up, think again. They will catch up, but on average it could take as long as three years.

National thinks part of the solution is to get kids in early childhood centres, and five, six and seven-year-olds at school, off devices and focusing on the basics.

And to test kids before they start school to make sure they can do these very basic things.

All of which I support.

But it won’t do much good if we continue to let these hopeless parents off the hook.

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