Language is the primary tool we use to express ourselves and the words we choose convey our thoughts and feelings. Whilst the Oxford University Press (OUP) recently named \u2018brain rot\u2019 (referring to the deteriorating mental state as a result of mindless online scrolling) as the Word of the Year for adults, \u2018friend\u2019 was announced as the Australian Children’s Word of the Year for 2024.<\/strong> OUP analysed over 25,600 stories written by Australian students in mid to late primary school and calculated the words used frequently by students. This research gives an interesting insight into what is important in our young people’s lives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The word \u2018friend\u2019 appeared 7.03% more frequently in students\u2019 writing in 2024 compared to 2020\u20132023. Students wrote about their own friendships, the meaning of friendship, as well as qualities that make a good friend. Stories were written about navigating complex friendship issues, and the value of activities, such as sport, for making new friends and developing personal connections. It is these deep personal connections children value as they enter into an increasingly online world. Although the Australian data differed from the UK where \u2018kindness\u2019 was announced the UK Children\u2019s Word of the Year, it is interesting to note that \u2018kind\u2019 was frequently used in connection to the qualities of a good friend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other frequently used words included love, hope and superpower. Hope was written about positively in terms of \u2018hopes and dreams\u2019, the desires and aspirations of the writer, as well as in a negative way focusing on losing hope or having no hope. Superpowers were seen as ways to heal and save people from difficult or overwhelming situations. The top eight shortlist appears below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The major themes found in the Australian data showed students writing about:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Connection\/Social and emotional learning:<\/strong> focusing on the value of friendship<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Fantasy, adventure and magic:<\/strong> displaying imagination and an interest in adventure, fantasy and magic<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Society and learning: <\/strong>showcasing their knowledge and learning, with the word \u2018fact\u2019 trending this year notably about safety, the environment and personal interests<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. Animals\/Environment and nature<\/strong>: Pollution and the environment continues to be a topic that students are concerned with, particularly the impact on animals and the ocean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For teachers and families, understanding the language our students are using is a key contributor to building positive connections, effective communication and achieving strong learning outcomes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you would like to read more, you can access the full report here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Susan Lombardo Word<\/strong><\/td> Total uses<\/strong><\/td> Change, relative frequency<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> Friend<\/td> 4,538<\/td> 7.03%<\/td><\/tr> Love<\/td> 3,821<\/td> 60.70%<\/td><\/tr> Play<\/td> 3,449<\/td> 3.34%<\/td><\/tr> Game<\/td> 1,901<\/td> 12.68%<\/td><\/tr> Hope<\/td> 1,345<\/td> 27.55%<\/td><\/tr> Fact<\/td> 406<\/td> 36.64%<\/td><\/tr> Leader<\/td> 242<\/td> 10.27%<\/td><\/tr> Superpower<\/td> 67<\/td> 107.90%<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Head of Library 5-12 <\/p>\n\n\n\n