Supporting your child’s learning - Phonics An information session for parents

What is phonics? A strategy or tool to help us to learn to read and spell. A process of systematic identification of sounds with symbols. Part of a wide set of skills required to become a reader and writer. Built upon firm foundations of early listening and discriminating skills.

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Blodrogging for fun. The blodrogs had been quifiering snorgoly all day by the romet of the furty led wetop. They didn’t pawt the gumlo until Herci was reduning by the dasop. ‘Hund’ bruked Herci as reftly as he could. It was too late…… What had the blodrogs been doing all day? When did the blodrogs pawt the gumlo? Which words does the author use to describe the wetop? Can you think of some other words you could use to describe the wetop?

Phonics is NOT The 26 letters of the alphabet. The only way to learn to read and spell. The learning of sound/symbol relationships without applying the knowledge.

At school…. Follow the Letters and Sounds programme and phase progression and use a range of games and rhymes (including Jolly Phonics) to enhance the learning. Systematic introduction and teaching of the 44 different phonemes and the letter symbols which represent these.

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Why do we teach phonics? As part of broad and rich speaking and listening curriculum. As one strategy for learning to read (decoding). To foster the development of early writing skills. To introduce the skills of blending – for reading and segmenting – for spelling.

How do we teach phonics? In context of broad and rich curriculum. Using a structured system of progression in learning. Through modelling and applying the skills taught. Through exploration, play and having fun! This encourages a multisensory approach.

What do we mean by ‘multisensory’? Shaving foam Sand Water Chalking Magnetic Letters Playdough/plasticene Whiteboards and pens Games and puzzles Music/movement/actions Some use of ICT resources

Key things to remember The pronounciation of the sounds which individual/pairs/groups of letters make. Link together the symbol, letter shape and sound. Show children how to apply the knowledge. Make any learning interactive and fun.

How can I support at home? Reading – with and to your child Sound book Sound games Writing activities Multisensory and exploration activities Rhyme, music and dance ICT: alphablocks (cbeebies iplayer) phonicsplay.co.uk letters-and-sounds.com ictgames.com/literacy bbc.co.uk/schools/words and pictures/phonics