By the time a child reaches school age, even nursery school age, he may already be at an educational disadvantage. Many mothers don't play with their children. some rarely talk to them. A mother may be unaware of a small baby's need for all kinds of stimulation to help him learn about himself and the world around him or she may simply not have enough energy left from the battle against poor housing conditions and lack of money, to enjoy playing with her baby.
Linda Blandford looks at how the problem is being tackled by groups of home visitors and home/school liaison officers who go into homes armed with toys and plenty of energy to teach mothers how to play with their children.
Producer JENNY de YONG BBC Birmingham