How we support your child to read and write

A Parent's Guide to Letters and Sounds

There are many discussions between parents and professionals on how children should be taught to read and write, however here at Daisykins Nursery in Rugby every child is treated as an individual. Whilst here at nursery children will be learning some vital skills that will help prepare them to begin to read and write, skills will be learnt through a wide range of activities and experiences such as; singing nursery rhymes, listening to music, talking with others, sharing books with adults and other children, experimenting with different mark making implements, using puppets and toys to retell and making up stories.[ngg_images source="galleries" container_ids="231" display_type="photocrati-nextgen_basic_slideshow" gallery_width="600" gallery_height="400" cycle_effect="fade" cycle_interval="3" show_thumbnail_link="0" thumbnail_link_text="[Show picture list]" order_by="sortorder" order_direction="ASC" returns="included" maximum_entity_count="500"]It is important to remember that children's spoken language supports reading and writing, therefore children need an adult to listen and talk to them. Speaking and listening is the foundations for reading and writing. Remember that everyday tasks such as preparing meals, tidying up, going shopping and getting ready to go out are a perfect opportunity to talk to a child. Children will hear the way language is spoken.When children move on to school into reception they will take part in high-quality phonic sessions every day, these sessions involve lots of speaking and listening games, teachers will observe how children actively participate. Children will begin to use their phonic knowledge of reading and writing in their independent play.At the nursery, we use a systematic phonics programme called Letters and SoundsLetters and sounds are divided into six phases, with each phases building on the skills and knowledge of previous learning. Phases 1 is started in the nursery, practitioners will plan activities that will help children listen attentively to sounds around them such as sounds in the environment or sounds their toys make. Nursery rhyme and sounds will also be embedded into everyday practice. Practitioners will read lots of stories to children and ask them questions about the story.Remember that children develop at different rates and some children may grasp certain skills before others but do not worry children will grasp these skills eventually.