Tesco this morning. 75% off. I thought it's a bit harsh.

Concept Cat is a feasible, fun and effective whole class approach for developing EY children's spoken language and maths. Get planning now for implementing Concept Cat next year. thinkingtalking.co.uk/concept-cat/

A reminder at today's @naplic.bsky.social journal club of the useful 'Communication Support Classroom Observation Tool' that can be used to develop practice in EY and KS1. drive.google.com/file/d/1o-Av...

I have a new favourite book: 'Magpie and the Sparkling Words' by SaLT Lucy Rowland and Craig Shuttlewood. It's written in rhyme and engagingly illustrated. And all about vocabulary of course! www.amazon.co.uk/Magpie-Spark...

Concept Cat is a whole class approach for Early Years that has been found to impact on language and maths. It's feasible to implement, fun and effective. And whole class = no extra staff required educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/projects-and... thinkingtalking.co.uk/concept-cat/

I had the great pleasure of listening to @susiedentwords.bsky.social today. So many fun facts about words, but a stand out for me was 'cacklefarts and bags of mystery.' Any guesses what the words refer to?

To celebrate the launch of the 'Word Aware Concepts Assessment' (WACA) we have a competition. Prizes include the assessment or Concept Cat training. Competition: forms.gle/eeBvafgFWYu4... Book details: www.routledge.com/Word-Aware-C...

If you use our approach 'Language for Behaviour and Emotions' and wish to measure its impact, we are running a free lunchtime seminar on March 19th. Process developed with @vjoffe.bsky.social & Judy Clegg. thinkingtalking.co.uk/finding-a-wo... @lang4think.bsky.social @melaniespeechie.bsky.social

To take your mind off the news we have a competition to celebrate the publication of the 'Word Aware Concepts Assessment'. If you work with children in Early Years then this is for you! Book details: www.routledge.com/Word-Aware-C... Competition: forms.gle/oJQiAL8vks7g... @lang4think.bsky.social

The Language and Literacy in Young People is an amazing resource. Thanks to @suze-freogirl.bsky.social @me-boyo.bsky.social and team for creating such valuable and practical work. Loads of free evidence based downloads. languageandliteracyinyoungpeople.com/resources/fr... #DevLangDis

If your school is serious about improving children's vocabulary then we have the solution. Evidence based, effective, manageable and fun! General details of Word Aware: thinkingtalking.co.uk/word-aware/ Our next Word Aware course is next week. thinkingtalking.co.uk/finding-a-wo...

And it's publication day for 'Word Aware Concepts Assessment', an informal measure of Early Years children's understanding of words such as 'altogether, around, few.' And heres a discount code! Coauthored with @lang4think.bsky.social & Sarah Smith Let us know if you have questions

Crazy that Australia, a country where most people have never seen snow are ahead of the UK in the medal table. Long term Aussie in the UK here, so rather enjoying this. 😄

Word Aware is our tried and tested whole school approach for supporting vocabulary. Our training provides an understanding of the method as well as ideas to implement right away. You will leave enthused (or more enthused 😄) about words. thinkingtalking.co.uk/finding-a-wo... @lang4think.bsky.social

Colour photo of monochrome London.

'Word Aware Concepts Assessment' is available for pre-order from today. It's an informal assessment for 150 early developing concepts e.g.: different, whole, both. Covers Nursery (3 to 4 yo) and Reception (4 to 5 yo). Useful for schools, EY settings and SaLT. www.routledge.com/Word-Aware-C...

At London Kings Cross today. The perfect example of the inefficiencies of rail provision. Different bins for each rail company. Roll on nationalisation!

Thank you to Laura for this Amazon review of 'Language for Behaviour and Emotions'. It has made @melaniespeechie.bsky.social @lang4think.bsky.social and my day! www.routledge.com/Language-for...

#SLCN (speech, Language and Communication Needs) are the most common SEND, but many continue to think of them as not that serious. However in 2023-24 just 27.6% of those with SLCN achieved grades 4 and above in maths and English. This needs to change!

Just heard that our new book, 'Word Aware Concepts Assessment' has gone to the printers. It is an informal assessment of concepts, aligned with our Concept Cat approach. They will be a very useful tool for all those who work with children aged 3 to 5. www.routledge.com/Word-Aware-C...

#SEND need to be a little higher up the government's agenda. Time for a little activism! Read the report: speechandlanguage.org.uk/how-to-spend... Sign up to send the report to Rachel Reeves. speechandlanguage.eaction.org.uk/fight-for-or...

One week to go until next week's Word Aware whole school vocabulary course. Suitable for teachers of all types as well as SaLT. Tried and tested, so you know it will impact on children! Online and good value. thinkingtalking.co.uk/finding-a-wo...

Fantastic day at the EU parliament today raising awareness of Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). A step forward! Big thank you to MEP Peter Agies for hosting, ESLA for organizing and especially Chair, Sahra Ahmed. #DevLangDis #DLDday

Concept Cat impacts on vocabulary & maths in Early Years! educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/projects-and... To make it easy to deliver we now have boxes that include cat toys, puppets, word bags & masses of symbols. All you need to get going in a Nursery class. @lang4think.bsky.social

Even for people with DLD (Developmental Language Disorder) who lead ‘successful’ lives, the struggle persists. Others can’t see DLD and so don’t understand the effort required by people with DLD in things like everyday conversations #DLDday #DevLangDis @radld.bsky.social

DLD (Developmental Language Disorder) exists in every language, but identification requires care as it can be both over and under identified. Speaking multiple languages does not cause DLD! #DLDday #DevLangDis @radld.bsky.social

It’s easy to focus on the negatives but people with DLD (Developmental Language Disorder) have strengths too. They just need opportunities to show them! #DLDday #DevLangDis @radld.bsky.social

People with DLD (Developmental Language Disorder) need to work hard, and when so few know about DLD they face many barriers. All that takes a toll on mental health. More awareness would really make a difference! #DLDday #DevLangDis #WorldMentalHealthDay @radld.bsky.social

Teamwork across professions and agencies is crucial for supporting children with DLD (Developmental Language Disorder). Teachers, Speech and Language Therapists, families are crucial during the school phase. #DLDday #DevLangDis @radld.bsky.social @shaunziegenfusz.bsky.social

DLD (Developmental Language Disorder) is not just ‘a little thing with their speech that they will grow out of.’ If unsupported it is a serious lifelong condition that impacts on mental health, learning and life opportunities. That’s why we need awareness. #DLDday #DevLangDis @radld.bsky.social