Word Aware

A succinct and effective argument. An example of the power of words 😄

🧵 5/5

From a linguistic perspective, what really matters is interaction. Children develop vocabulary through meaningful communication: conversation at the dinner table, storytelling, collaborative play, & asking “why?” approximately 400 times before breakfast.

#langsky #childlanguage

Children’s vocabulary shrinking as reading loses out to screen time, says Susie Dent Exclusive: Countdown lexicographer urges families to read, talk and play word games to help language development

I’ve just read this interesting article about children’s vocabulary development & reading habits, & I have slightly complicated feelings about it.

🔗 tinyurl.com/49nb26ps

🧵👇

#langsky #linguistics #language #languagedevelopment #childlanguage #languageacquisition

Valuable thread on reading comprehension

Children’s vocabulary shrinking as reading loses out to screen time, says Susie Dent Exclusive: Countdown lexicographer urges families to read, talk and play word games to help language development

I know this is supposed to be raising awareness and helping… but I am not sure it is. 🙄

@wordaware.bsky.social what are your thoughts?

www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

It could be framed more positively.
'There is so much that family's can do to develop their children's vocabulary and reading, from reading together and vocabulary games, to little chats on the bus.'

Immigrant taxpayer here too.
Despite an average income I probably pay more tax than the tax exile Jim Ratcliffe also. Combined we all contribute much to this country

DLD journal club is on Feb 25th at 3.30.
Run in conjunction with @cltt.bsky.social @vjoffe.bsky.social & Judy Clegg.
Article by @samueldcalder.bsky.social @suze-freogirl.bsky.social & Mary Claessen on grammar and Shape Coding
journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1...
Bookings www.naplic.org.uk/events/

Great work!

🗣️ 'It is time to tear down those barriers.'

😊 Huge RCSLT thanks to @davidpintod.bsky.social for asking Keir Starmer at PMQs yesterday what the Government are doing to help people with speech disabilities and differences to get the support they need, so that their voices can be heard.

I used to have this on my wall at work!

Man on the bus: I love my cat. Woman: Dogs are the best.
Man: I don't have to follow Betsy around with a poo-bag.
Silence.

Not sure the relationship will last

100% true

But the last 15yrs or so have seen a shift away from outcomes and towards insisting on ways of behaving /doing.

This is bonkers to me. A pedagogy or practice is only as good as it’s impact. A script is only any good if a child understands it!

I have “given” many teachers permission to change.

I am hoping it is more out of ignorance than intended cruelty.
Also many practitioners know what they are doing is not the best, but don't have the power to change the policy. Once again it comes back to policy!

Great day delivering Language for Behaviour and Everyone today. We have been doing quite a few of these recently!
We have 2 day, half day and a free seminar coming up. Check them out thinkingtalking.co.uk/finding-a-wo...

Fantastic design skills!

Part 3i – Principles to work by This is the start of my thinking about school development – or school improvement. I suspect it there will be many smaller pieces to make up this whole part, that may, or may not follow an order. I…

I've had a few bumpy weeks, but am back to writing.

Here is some thinking about school improvement/school development.

I was thinking about this as I read about the RISE evaluation published this week.

Principles to work by...

meganjanedixon.co.uk/2026/02/10/p...

Wise words. I particularly appreciate your points about the cruelty of redoing phonics infinitum and that children need more than adults who play political games.

Watch this. It’s the business.

This is because a statistical model of word frequency is not a useful tool for modeling the complex interactions of the human body

Government to write of 90% of councils' SEND deficits Local authorities will get a grant to cover all but 10% of deficits accrued by the end of 2025-26

Breaking: The government has pledged write off 90 per cent of councils’ historic SEND deficits – estimated to be worth £5 billion

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/government-to-write-off-90-of-councils-send-deficits/

@melaniespeechie.bsky.social this will interest you.

'Communication is highly important to these very vulnerable young people. Speech and Language Therapy services and other professionals need to provide more timely and targeted support for young people within the care system'

Massive ancient oak

If you live in Great Britain or are just visiting, type in the places you are going to, and find extraordinary trees to view

Searchable by species, location & age

ati.woodlandtrust.org.uk/tree-search/...

That will keep me entertained for hours!

At the DLD/SLCN specialist network listening to Georgia Wrigley from @speechandlanguk.bsky.social talk about No Pens Day which is on May 20th this year.
Get involved and raise money for #SLCN.
Details and resources speechandlanguage.org.uk/get-involved...

Really like this idea

Concept Cartoons are a fantastic way to kick start conversations in science. #oracy #SLCN #DevLangDis
raisedgrounded.com/concept-cart...