The usual euphemisms were trotted out last week as the Government tried to justify its decision to rule out a total ban on smacking. 'Light smack', 'odd slap' and 'little cuff' were just some of the terms used to describe the kind of behaviour deemed 'acceptable' by adults towards children.
Of course, smacking is completely unacceptable, and refusing to ban it deprives children of the same legal protection as adults; encourages parents to resort to quick-fix 'solutions' rather than giving their children time, understanding and explanations, and means children will still learn, from an early age, that aggression is acceptable.
Thankfully, children's commissioner Al Aynsley-Green has come out strongly against the Government's decision and will be keeping up the pressure to legislate for a complete ban.
Words and their meanings are also the subject of this week's guide, 'All about...the language of the EYFS' (see page 19). Many in the sector are increasingly concerned about what key terms used within the framework actually mean - to practitioners, to local authorities, to Ofsted, to Government.
As long as we have the rigidity of the phonics programme, Government targets for the Foundation Stage profile and unrealistic expectations by Ofsted (see also right), interpretations of key words will vary. But it is important that everyone within the sector reflects on their meaning, for only then can the EYFS be implemented according to the principles of best practice.