Susie Dent’s tips and tricks to add muscle to a child’s vocabulary

To help combat the impact of screen-time creep, the Countdown word supremo has a few suggestions

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

C

hildren’s vocabulary is shrinking as reading loses out to screen time, the Countdown lexicographer Susie Dent has suggested, as she urged families to read, talk and play word games to boost language development.

Dent, who also co-presents Channel 4’s Secret Genius with Alan Carr, is fronting a new campaign – working with an unexpected partner, Soreen malt loaf – aimed at boosting children’s vocabulary at snack time.