What is Phonics?
Children begin to learn phonics (sounds) in Early Years, both Nursery and Reception. Once children begin learning sounds, they use this knowledge to read and spell words.
At Livingstone Academy Bournemouth our aim is for all pupils to become fluent and confident readers. We achieve this by teaching phonics to all pupils starting from Reception to Year 2.
Phonics is a method of learning to read. We start by teaching phonics to the children in the Reception class. This means that they learn how to ‘read’ the sounds in words and how those sounds can be written down. This is essential for reading, but it also helps children learn to spell well. We teach the children simple ways of remembering these sounds and letters.
Little Wandle letters and sounds revised
At our school, we follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised phonics programme to support early reading and writing. This structured and engaging programme is based on the latest research into how children learn to read and is designed to help every child become a confident, fluent reader. It provides a clear progression of phonics skills from Reception through to Year 1 and beyond, with regular assessment and support to ensure no child is left behind.
To find out more about Little Wandle, including helpful resources and videos for parents, please visit their website here.