Let’s strike the expression “ready to learn” from our collective vocabulary when it comes to young children. Learning begins in utero. Kids are born learning. There’s nothing to get ready for. Suggesting there is perpetuates the notion that learning begins in school. It doesn’t

@thepetitioner Love your tweets Dan. Thanks for championing babies and young children.

@thepetitioner Thanks Sue!

True. My daughter was able to identify the alphabet, lower and upper case letters by 18 months. We had those magnetic letters stuck to the fridge, she could pick out whichever letter was asked for. I hate to see how silent some people are with their kids.

I’m a mum of 4 & a speech & language therapist of 30+ years. Observing children’s speech & language development still fills me with wonder & joy. The earlier we help them start, the better.

I’ve been singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to my baby in Chinese and English - it’s one of her favorite songs too 🤩

Agreed. 30 years ago pregnant, I read, sang, played music & also have candid conversations with the person in utero. Not to brag, they have completed 2 masters & is now doing a third masters. In yr 11 they sat VCE yr 12 English lit scoring 96% Could go on .. 🌟

Parents please remember to read to your children. It is very important😁

Very sadly, many many children now come into school never having had a song sung to them or a book read to them … tech is easier. Some even come in with American accents, having been brought up on Disney Channel! 😧

Constantly saying we need to decouple ‘learning’ from ‘schooling’. Two very different things

I would also like to strike the use of the word "pre-school". I don't use it. There is nothing "pre" about school. School is school. And we are educators.💜