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I think with the PFB, most parents aren't familiar with the term 'phonics' - it tends to be the child who mentions it after they start school. I like the name 'Phonics Fun' though When it comes to subsequent children, the parents are more clued up. I think you'd be fine to call it Phonics Fun, as long as you explain more clearly what phonics is and how it works - most parents will remember learning 'ah, buh, curly cuh' etc.

As for schoolage children, I think it really depends on the school as to what parents know - with DS he came home with a book and was expected to read it. DD (different school) had weeks and weeks of phonics before the first very basic book, and she is months ahead of where DS was at the same age.

Good luck! Hope you do well.

My 4.4yo has just started learning to read (with the Usborn books Teach Your Monster to Read game) and is coming along really well. I knew what phonics were before we started and it seems like a natural way to teach children to read. I had no idea about synthetic phonics though and so a couple of the sounds I taught her were different to the game.

I think too much jargon does make it sound more complicated than it is and can seem intimidating but I love the name Phonics Fun. I think it would be beneficial to use terms like 'letter sounds' in your description though and would give parents a clear idea of what the sessions involved. I've done lots of research because we are planning to home educate and while I'm sure a large portion of parents know what phonics are you wouldn't want to miss anyone out.

Knew 6 years ago, before my kids started school because it was some programs on BBC2 they liked with phonics, Razzle-dazzle (not sure about spelling) and some other i don't remember.

I would certainly rather you used 'plain english' or laymans' language to describe your classes. I would be much more inclined to take my children to a fun reading activities class than a 'phonetical awareness session' despite me being able to deduce the meaning of the jargon. I don't think it's at all patronising to put things in a plain, clear way. I also think it makes it sound far more appealling to children.

thinkfast - I would like to know that too.

Anne Marie can I hijack a little and ask at what age you advise phonics should be introduced or what are the signs a child is ready for it?

I have a very good knowledge of phonics, and do phonics with my 3.8 year old every day. He's learning phase 3 digraphs at the moment and can blend to read CVC words. I am a TA though, so it's bread and butter stuff for me! HTH

Hi

Thank you for your feedback 'wobblypig', it is useful to know other parents opinions and awareness of phonics.

'Paymay18' your post was also very useful, thank you. We do have games and activities in our classes that focus on phonological awareness, but I did not want to over complicate the terminology for parents and thought if anything, phonics would be the term they are most likely to come accross.

We use lots of listening and alliteration games in our classes and the illustrations we have commissioned for each phoneme or grapheme have lots of 'eye spy' opportunities for children to search for objects related to each sound.

We also assess children's phonological awareness as well as their ability to correctly identify printed phonics at the beginning and end of every term to track the progress made in both areas as we appreciate the value of both.

I have had a look at your website and it has some really interesting research on there, thank you for directing me to it.

Best wishes
Ann~Marie

I'm a retired psychologist with many years experience of children learning to read and understand your concern about parents' awareness of phonics. I'd like to ask are you also going to do enough pre-phonics verbal only games with sounds (called phonological awareness)? Such activities provide the best foundation for any later reading teaching including phonics approaches. Please see my website www.fixreading.co.uk

Have a 3 year old and a 6 year old. So now with the 3 year old I do know what phonics are but 3 years ago I didn't have a clue. My feeling is that first timers are unlikely unless child is at very good pre school and about to go to school