How you can help
This section provides tools and tips on how you can help your child at home with some of the maths and phonics tools and concepts they will be learning at school.
In addition, another helpful tool is Oxford Owl, a FREE website built to support you with your child’s learning.
To help you along the way, you’ll find age-specific reading and maths tips and activities, FREE eBooks, and lots of fun ideas to really bring your child’s learning to life.
You will also find support and advice on a range of questions you may have – including helping your child with their phonics, motivating boys to read and ensuring your child is doing their best in maths.
Visit: www.oxfordowl.co.uk
Phonics
Phonics is a way of teaching children to read quickly and skilfully. They are taught how to
- recognise the sounds that each individual letter makes
- identify the sounds that different combinations of letters make - such as ‘sh’ or ‘oo’
- blend these sounds together from left to right to make a word
Children can then use this knowledge to ‘decode’ new words that they hear or see. This is the first important step in learning to read.
Why phonics?
Research shows that when phonics is taught in a structured way – starting with the easiest sounds and progressing through to the most complex – it is the most effective way of teaching young children to read. It is particularly helpful for children aged 5 to 7.
Almost all children who receive good teaching of phonics will learn the skills they need to tackle new words. They can then go on to read any kind of text fluently and confidently, and to read for enjoyment.
Children who have been taught phonics also tend to read more accurately than those taught using other methods, such as ‘look and say’. This includes children who find learning to read difficult, for example those who have dyslexia.
How can you help?
Regular support at home is very important. Children need to practise and apply the skills they learn at school. We offer phonics training for parents at the beginning of each year. If you missed the session, please look at the information from the session below.
If you have any questions or queries please see your class teacher or Mrs. Claridge. You can also view the PowerPoint file linked at the bottom of this page for more information.
Teaching your child to read
We ask that your child reads at home every day. The more practice they get, the better readers they will be! We teach children to read using a phonics system called 'Letters and Sounds'. It is important that you use the same words and sounds at home as we use in school so as not to confuse your child when reading with them. We offer phonics training for parents each autumn term.
Videos from 'Mr Phonics' provide useful examples of how to say the sounds that your children will be taught.
Maths
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