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Phonics and Early Reading

Phonics and Early Reading at Stockbridge Village Primary School

At Stockbridge Village Primary School, we are committed to ensuring every child becomes a confident and fluent reader. To achieve this, we use Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised, a proven phonics programme that builds strong foundations for reading and writing.

Why Reading is Important

Reading is a vital skill that underpins success in all areas of learning and improves life opportunities. Developing a love of reading brings significant academic, social, and emotional benefits, helping children grow into lifelong readers.

How Children Learn to Read

  1. Phonics as the Foundation
    Phonics is the most effective method for teaching children to decode words.
  2. Learning Phonic Sounds
    Children are taught to say individual sounds clearly and confidently.
  3. Blending Sounds
    They blend these sounds together to read words.
  4. Building Fluency
    Through regular practice, children develop fluency in reading sounds, words, and books.

Reading Fully Decodable Books

To ensure early reading success:

  • Children read books matched to their current phonics knowledge.
  • They do not rely on guessing, using pictures, or whole-word recognition.
  • Books follow the Little Wandle progression, helping children build confidence and fluency step by step.
  • Children read fully decodable books until they can decode unfamiliar words independently.

The Role of Parents and Carers

Parents and carers play a crucial role in their child’s reading journey by:

  • Encouraging regular reading practice at home.
  • Supporting two types of books:
    1. Reading Practice Book – a fully decodable book that matches their current phonics stage.
    2. Sharing Book – chosen for enjoyment and read together for pleasure.
  • Providing positive feedback in the reading diary to celebrate progress.

Supporting Your Child

Although your child will be taught to read at school, regular reading at home is essential for building fluency and fostering a love of books.

Reading Practice Book

  • This book is carefully matched to your child’s phonics level.
  • Encourage them to read with confidence, providing praise and support as needed.
  • If they find a word tricky, read it to them and move on.
  • Discuss the book after reading to build understanding and enjoyment.

Sharing Book

  • This book is for you to enjoy together.
  • Read it to your child, explore the pictures, and engage with the story.
  • Use expressive voices for characters, make predictions, and have fun!

Resources for Parents

We provide a range of resources to support your child’s reading:

Working Together

By working together, we can ensure every child at Stockbridge Village Primary School develops the skills and confidence to become a lifelong reader. If you have any questions or need further support, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher.

Videos:

How we pronounce phase 2 sounds

How we pronounce phase 3 sounds

How we teach blending

How we teach tricky words

How we teach alien words

Little Wandle Phonics Home Learning

Please find below attachments of the Little Wandle Phonics home learning, which is sent home each corresponding week with your child.

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