What is Wise About Words?
An inclusive toolkit of practical techniques designed to strengthen oracy, personal development and classroom engagement through active, communication rich learning.
“It has revolutionised my approach to teaching” Year 2 teacher
This creative pedagogy with a practical toolkit supports children’s development through active, embodied learning and structured interaction, directly contributing to learning goals in EY and KS1. The proven techniques provide practical ways for teachers to strengthen communication, social and emotional development and confidence within their everyday current classroom practice.
Importantly, this is not a scheme of work and it does not require teachers to become drama specialists. Instead, the toolkit introduces a range of simple, flexible activities that can be easily integrated into existing classroom routines, continuous provision and curriculum lessons. Activities can be dropped into the school day as short warm-ups, transitions, group learning moments or lesson extensions. This allows staff to enrich learning without adding additional planning pressures.
A Practical Toolkit for Everyday Teaching
Developed in collaboration with teachers and senior leaders during a two-year Teacher Development Project funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, (Read the report HERE) these approaches draw on principles of play-based learning, embodied learning and structured interaction, enabling children to explore ideas and practise speaking and listening, turn taking, expressing emotions, developing empathy and building confidence.
The techniques also support inclusive classroom practice, offering multiple ways for every child to participate — particularly benefiting pupils who may struggle with language, attention or emotional regulation.
“WAW taught me more about giving students a voice than my entire teacher training”
Year 1 teacher
Why Schools Need This Now
- Many schools are seeing increasing numbers of children arriving with delayed language development, reduced confidence in speaking and greater challenges with emotional regulation. At the same time, oracy, wellbeing and inclusion are becoming key priorities for schools.
- Strong speaking and listening skills underpin literacy, learning and social development, helping to improve engagement, behaviour and long-term attainment.
- Schools need approaches that strengthen these areas without adding to teacher workload. This training toolkit provides practical strategies that fit easily into existing lessons, routines and play-based learning environments.
“WAW has proved to be, for some children, an effective way to support the increasing number of children who are not school-ready, develop their skills.”
Head teacher
What Teachers Gain
- A practical bank of ready-to-use techniques for everyday teaching
- Greater confidence supporting communication and emotional development
- Flexible strategies that work across subjects and support inclusive classrooms
- Tools that enhance learning without increasing planning workload
“WAW has revitalised my interest in teaching, and I look forward to the future with WAW and creativity at its core”
Year 2 teacher
What Children Gain
- Stronger language and communication skills
- Increased confidence and participation in learning
- Improved emotional awareness and regulation
- Greater readiness to engage, collaborate and thrive across the curriculum
“more engaged with activities”, “big improvement in confidence”, “now able to work as a team”, “confidence has grown in and out of the classroom”, “now works more successfully in a group” and “more articulate in her writing”.
Outcome: A classroom culture that nurtures confident communicators, engaged learners and resilient young people ready to succeed in school and beyond.
For more information or to discuss an Understanding and Delivering the Toolkit training package please contact the learning team on learning@norwichtheatre.org