Schools have increasingly been encouraged by the Government to teach children to read using synthetic phonics. Learning to read using phonics isn’t a new concept, but in the past, it was often used in combination with other teaching methods.
How Phonics is Taught
At school, children learn letter sounds (phonemes) in groups and then practice blending them to make words. The first group of sounds is usually ‘s, a, t, p, i, n’. Once children know these phonemes, they are encouraged to blend them together to form words, such as ‘s – i – t’.
As children progress, they learn that one phoneme can be represented by different letters. For example, the sound in the middle of ‘rain’ can also be represented as ‘ay’ (play) or ‘a-e’ (tale). Once children grasp these phonemes, they are ready to start reading.
Research Calling for a Balanced Approach
Recent research by the Institute of Education at UCL suggests that a more balanced method of teaching reading is needed. In an open letter to the Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi, 250 education experts, including UCL researchers, called on the Government to allow a wider range of approaches to teaching reading. They argue that teachers should be trusted to use their judgment about what works best for their pupils.
Phonics is Part of the Bigger Picture
So, when helping your child learn to read at home, keep an open mind. The most important thing is to foster a love of books and reading for pleasure. While phonics is an essential tool in learning to read, it is only part of a much bigger picture.
A Wide Range of Books for Every Reader
Reading Chest members can choose from a wide range of reading schemes to suit all tastes. Our selection of decodable reading schemes, such as Bug Club Phonics, Red Squirrel Phonics, Big Cat Phonics, Floppy’s Phonics, and Yellow Door Phonics, are designed so children can sound out words using their phonic knowledge.
We also stock many beloved children’s books, including the Oxford Reading Tree’s Biff, Chip, and Kipper stories, which continue to bring smiles to young readers everywhere!