If your child is still learning their sounds and at the beginning of learning to read, it's really important that they keep practising regularly.
1. The Wandsworth and Sutton English Hubs, who are the models of excellent teaching for the local area, have put together a fantastic set of videos to help Reception and Year 1 children practise their phonics. There are also specific videos for your child to practise blending their sounds if they are finding that hard. There are daily videos on YouTube to follow and all the videos can be accessed online. There is also good explanation of why this is so important on the website.
2. If you want to purchase an item to help reinforce phonics learning, we highly recommend these flash cards from Carter's Yard, developed by qualified teachers. They link with an app, so you can hear the sounds pronounced correctly. There are also online guides for practising phonics at home with your child.
3. You can hear the different sounds pronounced correctly on this YouTube clip. And you can find fun ways to practice these sounds on the Letters and Sounds website and on the Jolly Phonics website.
4. You can access reading scheme books for free online. Levels are colour-coded. If you are not sure what colour level your child should be reading, try a few. Your child should be able to read 90% to 95% of the text (encourage them to say the individual sounds aloud and blend them together for words they can't read fluently). If they need help with more words than this the text is probably too hard for them to understand, and if they can read the whole book without help it is probably too easy to extend them. Make sure you stop and ask questions as they go - it's really important that you check they understand what they are reading. You can access a selection of online school reading scheme books here
5. Use any books or magazines that you have at home. Even if your child can't read most of the words, share the reading together, encouraging them to point out words or sounds they might recognise. Make sure you really praise them when they spot something.
