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Why Phonics?

Phonics forms the foundation of reading and language development. It is a method of teaching and learning to read by correlating sounds with letters or groups of letters.

Phonics is considered crucial in early literacy education. Some of the reasons for this are:

Child Reading

Decoding Skills: Phonics helps children to develop decoding skills, enabling them to sound out words and recognise patterns in printed text. By understanding the relationship between letters and sounds, they can decode unfamiliar words and improve reading fluency.

 

Spelling and Writing: Phonics not only helps children read, but also enhances their spelling and writing abilities. When children grasp the phonetic principles, they can apply them to their own writing, segmenting words into sounds and selecting appropriate letters to represent those sounds.

 

Vocabulary Development: By learning phonics, children expand their vocabularies. Understanding the sounds and spellings of words enables them to read and comprehend a wider variety of texts, exposing them to new words and concepts.

 

Independent Reading: Phonics proficiency empowers children to become independent readers. When they can decode words and read fluently, they can engage with books and other written materials without constant reliance on others for assistance.

 

Comprehension Skills: Phonics is a stepping stone to developing reading comprehension skills. When children can read fluently and effortlessly, they can focus more on understanding the meaning of the text, making connections, and drawing inferences.

 

Confidence and Motivation: Mastering phonics gives children a sense of accomplishment and boosts their confidence in their reading abilities. As they experience success in decoding words and reading independently, their motivation to learn and explore new texts increases.

Lifelong Literacy: Phonics provides a strong foundation for lifelong literacy skills. Once children grasp the phonetic principles, they can apply them to new words they encounter throughout their lives, continually expanding their reading and vocabulary skills.

And because it's fun! 

When people hear the words 'phonics' and 'literacy' the mind jumps to education and schooling but reading and writing are not just academic pursuits; they are also incredibly enjoyable and fulfilling hobbies! Engaging with books, stories and creative writing opens up a world of imagination, curiosity and adventure! 

As a teacher and parent, I have seen first hand the power that reading gives a child. The opportunities it opens up, the independence it provides, and the enjoyment they gain from it - reading is unrivalled against any other aspect of a child's development. 

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