The 28 signatories to the letter, who also include Sara Maitland, Helen Macdonald and Ruth Padel, say their concern is “not just a romantic desire to reflect the rosy memories of our own childhoods onto today’s youngsters”. The research evidence showing the links between natural play and wellbeing and between disconnection from nature and social ills, is mounting.” “When, in 2007, the OJD made the changes, this connection was understood, but less well publicised than now. In light of what is known about the benefits of natural play and connection to nature and the dangers of their lack, we think the choice of words to be omitted shocking and poorly considered,” the authors have written to OUP. However it is worrying that in contrast to those taken out, many are associated with the interior, solitary childhoods of today. “We recognise the need to introduce new words and to make room for them and do not intend to comment in detail on the choice of words added. The current 2012 edition maintained the changes, and instead of catkin, cauliflower, chestnut and clover, today’s edition of the dictionary, which is aimed at seven-year-olds starting Key Stage Two, features cut and paste, broadband and analogue. The likes of almond, blackberry and crocus first made way for analogue, block graph and celebrity in the Oxford Junior Dictionary in 2007, with protests at the time around the loss of a host of religious words such as bishop, saint and sin.
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