Children’s vocabulary shrinking as reading loses out to screen time, says Susie Dent

12/02/2026 11:46 The Guardian

Exclusive: Countdown lexicographer urges families to read, talk and play word games to help language developmentSusie Dent’s tips and tricks to add muscle to a child’s vocabularyChildren’s vocabulary is shrinking as reading loses out to screen time, according to the lexicographer Susie Dent, who is urging families to read, talk and play word games to boost language development.The Countdown star’s warning comes as the government prepares to issue its first advice to parents on how to manage screen use in under-fives, amid concerns that excessive screen time is damaging children’s language development. Continue reading...

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