Wood could be critical of dramatic training, insisting that it often ignored clear speech.

He said: 'I heard the prime minister make a very solemn pledge in clear speech to the British people offering English devolution on the steps of Downing Street last week.

Balance and co-ordination, including the fine muscle co-ordination needed for clear speech articulation and writing, and the control of eye movements necessary for reading, are all developed through physical interaction with the environment (free play) and social engagement.