Understanding Phonics In Reading - It`s Not Just The Alphabet!

There are 44 phonics sounds in English and 26 letters in the alphabet.

Phonics refers to the sounds the letters make, either on their own, or with other letters. Getting phonics right has been a push in the government`s strategy with the Letters and Sounds programme. It really does matter to the development of a child`s successful reading and writing.

Knowing that ai sounds like ay helps your child to read, for instance in words such as r-ai-n. It also inclides understanding that no English words end in ai and the correct spelling for that sound at the end of a word is ay, as in hay. It can sound complicated and confusing, but it really isn`t.

Taught properly and early enough, a good grasp of phonics means a child`s literacy will thrive and be fun too!

Children with SEND may struggle with phonics for a variety of reasons. They may have a specific learning difficulty (SpLD) like dyslexia, or other language difficulty, such as a global delay. This does not mean, however, that they cannot or should not learn phonics, rather that they need additional support and tailored programmes of study.

Learning is fun -and it`s no different learning phonics. Making learning practical, visual and engaging -such as in playing a game, means phonics is accessible to all learners, including those with SEND.

The key to successful phonics and reading development is to not give up. Children with SEND may need more time to really understand and assimilate their learning - I have taught children with SEND to read from 5 years old to 14 years old - they can do it!