1st Edition

Word Aware Concepts Assessment: Levels 1-3

178 Pages 254 Color Illustrations
by Speechmark

178 Pages 254 Color Illustrations
by Speechmark

178 Pages 254 Color Illustrations
by Speechmark

A strong understanding of conceptual vocabulary in the Early Years supports children’s communication and thinking, and forms the foundation for later mathematical and scientific learning. The Word Aware Concepts Assessment (WACA) is an informal assessment that can be used to baseline and track children’s learning of Early Years concepts such as ‘both,’ ‘through,’ ‘all,’ ‘first’ and ‘longer.’... Read more

Introduction

Instructions for whole class sampling

Instructions for using the WACA with learners with additional needs

Level 1

Assessment

Level 2

Assessment

Level 3

Assessment

Appendix

WACA Score Forms Levels 1–3

WACA Summary Levels 1–3

Biography

Anna Branagan is a speech and language therapist, trainer and author of practical language development resources for teachers and speech and language therapists. Anna has 30 years of experience working within the NHS with a wide range of children and families.

Stephen Parsons is a speech and language therapist, trainer and author of practical language development resources for teachers and speech and language therapists. Stephen has 35 years of experience in the field, including in Hackney and the City of London where he was Speech and Language Therapy Service Manager. He is Chair of the Raising Awareness of Developmental Language Disorder (RADLD) international committee and was Chair of the National Association of Professionals Concerned with Language Impairment in Children (NAPLIC), the UK association for professionals working with children and young people with Developmental Language Disorder, from 2016 to 2024.

Sarah Smith is a specialist speech and language therapist with over 10 years of experience working across a range of educational settings. She is a mainstream clinical lead for the children’s NHS speech and language therapy service in Worcestershire and her current clinical practice is in mainstream schools, working in partnership with families and school staff. Sarah developed the original concept screen in 2018 and is a Language for Learning trainer, delivering training for school staff and speech and language therapists.