To be worries? 0 on phonics screening.

[lollilou2]

My DS5, in year 1, got 0 on his phonics screening. They done 12 words with him, then decided not to carry on.

We read to him every night, he can’t read to us as he can’t read yet, but what else can be done to support him at home? He does small group work at school, is there anything else school can do to help him along? He is already on the SEN register but that’s due to speech and language.

My youngest dd had speech and language problems and although much of the speech problem was solved, she always struggled with reading.
I did Toe by Toe with her in the summer between year 4 and year 5. She also moved school as we moved and had loads of 121 and programmes in Year 5.
She finished primary at level 4, bang on average. A huge achievement for her.She followed through at Gcse, getting 8 at level 4 and above and grades 5 in English Maths and Science.
At the end of year 1, she was working towards reception level, at the end of year 4 she was at year 2 level.
I would say it's a long haul but keeping up confidence, praising their effort makes all the difference

@lollilou2 I just wanted to add to this not to let Phonics stop you enjoying reading with your son as it sounds as though that’s something you do a lot of. And I wondered if you’d heard of wordless picture books? They’re exactly what they sound like stories without any words but they’d give your son an opportunity to read to you without any of the phonics pressure. There are lots of lovely ones but I particularly like “Flotsam” and “Journey”.

It sounds to me very much as if you should apply for an EHC needs assessment. At this stage you only need to show that he may have SEN - which is acknowledged already - and that he may need extra support via an EHCP. An assessment doesn't necessarily mean an EHCP will be granted, but it sounds as if it would be helpful to get to the bottom of what the issues are and what support your child needs.

If he got 0 then he cannot blend cvc words.

Try watching alphablocks with him or have it on in the background.

You can begin the ehcp process yourself, school don't have to request it.

There are template letters on websites like Sendiass. You could also contact your LA.

Good luck

We practiced using the phonics cards they use at school. He had 50% attendance last year but we managed to get him caught up and he passed

Phonics is the basis for reading it comes before reading/writing. It’s absolutely linked to s&l.
Do they send home read Write inc books to do at home? If no I’d order some to practice at home. Still do normal reading for pleasure tho as phonics books are not that great for installing a love of reading.

i would ask for a meeting with senco and class teacher and ask what they will be doing and also how he is doing on other areas - writing etc.
If he’s on the sen register they can apply for additional funding for some 1:1 support. I’d be pissed they are raising this now after the event and I’d want more than small group work as that should be standard.

Reading eggs app

For boys (especially but also any very active child)..

letter carpet tiles to make words, sound them out whilst jumping on them in turn

large letters outside and a water pistol/washing up liquid bottle. Make words and squirt each letter as they are sounded out

Action games ‘can you… j-u-m-p’ ( s-i-t, s-t-o-p etc. )

Collect the cards (in order) from around a room, and sound them to make a word.

I will also add that the tv programme ‘Alphablocks’ is really useful in the visuals of joining letters together to make words.

I agree.

Phonics may be the best way for most to learn to read.

That doesn't mean it's the best way for all to learn to read.

I learnt by whole word recognition and just didn't get phonics. I remember the moment it clicked. I was reading Lord of the Rings. It's not necessary for them to have to do it by phonics to get a long way in reading.

But in a child with an SEN that affects all learning and seems to be resulting in significant delay in all areas, it is unhelpful to think that a change of method will enable a huge leap forward - rather that it might be a route to explore once full assessment of his difficulties have been carried out.

Otoh if you have a child who is not learning with phonics, then continuing using the same method may equally well be unhelpful.

You can't know.

My son has it hard due to speech sounds and blending issues.
As a teacher though I would say look at those pre skills. If you clap clap tap tap. Can he do the rhythm back? Can he do rhyming words when you read... finishing off the sentence.

Keep up with the first sounds. But do some musical or patterns. 3/4 actions long then longer. It is preblending.
I hope that helps for something for the summer

Agree - sight reading is better for some.

The sight word list used in the US is called Dolch words. This complete list of (iirc) 220 words that make up about 80% of words in literature aimed at under-8s is available online in pdf form and on various websites. It's sorted by grades/ levels.

Before phonics is rhyme. Does he listen to you read nursery rhymes? Can he repeat nursery rhymes? Can he identify rhyming words in rhyming picture books?

I’m very surprised by this. I have taught a couple of students with nystagmus at secondary school and they had significant adaptations to all work as well as glasses (not that it’s critical here, but for full picture - these students were in selective grammar school environments, so academically doing well.)