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Are there any phonics websites for a Reception child?

62 replies

noseynoonoo · 17/12/2012 14:28

My son has started doing phonics this year and loves it. Are there any fun websites, preferably free, he can look at over the school holidays?

OP posts:
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crazygracieuk · 17/12/2012 14:29

Our school recomments PhonicsPlay

MatchsticksForMyEyes · 17/12/2012 14:31

Reading Eggs is good. They will give you a month's free trial, but my 5 year old DD loves it.

2cats2many · 17/12/2012 19:33

Try this:

www.letters-and-sounds.com/phase-2-games.html

My DD used to love it.

noseynoonoo · 17/12/2012 22:12

Thank you.

OP posts:
timetosmile · 17/12/2012 22:13

another vote for Reading Eggs, they always have good offers on and DS2 loves it.

stupidgirlNo1 · 19/12/2012 13:12

try bug club.My DS school uses it

PastSellByDate · 20/12/2012 14:50

Not sure if this is on CBeebies any longer - but alphablocks was very helpful when my DD2 was in YR.

Link here: www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/alphablocks/

songs are very catchy. Cute shows and games. Doesn't feel like learning to the child.

HTH

AuntieBulgaria · 20/12/2012 20:55

DD liked Teach your monster to read

MegBusset · 20/12/2012 21:00

Mr Thorne Does Phonics

pud1 · 20/12/2012 21:01

Am just marking my place so I can find this thread. Have been looking for phonics sites too

MrThorne · 22/12/2012 13:37

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by Mumsnet for breaking our Talk Guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

ButHeNeverDid · 22/12/2012 14:01

Wow Mr Thorne is on mumsnet!!

I am star struck Smile

We have your ap on iPad and my twin boys love it. They (and I) and have learned so much from you over the past 18 months

They are now in reception learning to read and we use your ap whenever we get stuck on a diagraph.

I also use it as way of distracting the twin I am not reading with. Its hard doing reading practice with twins as the one you are not reading with always tries to muscle in and interupt. So now - while I read with one, the other gets to play with your ap.

I feel that I owe you so much in helping them master reading.

Thank you!

MrThorne · 22/12/2012 19:23

You're very welcome! :)

I'm so glad your children find it useful!

Merry Christmas

xx

weblette · 22/12/2012 19:37

Hairy Phonics is a brill iPhone app which my YR ds loves.

juule · 22/12/2012 19:45

My children enjoyed Starfall.

Pendipidy · 22/12/2012 19:47

another reading eggs fan here!

PastSellByDate · 23/12/2012 02:27

Hi this is for Mr Thorne:

You should be aware that mrz (a primary teacher) has been on here saying repeatedly she wouldn't recommend your website.

As a parent - given you're a TES expert, I find it really confusing to have teachers come on here and trash something that the Times Education Supplement is promoting. So I'm raising this with you. Link to discussion here: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/primary/a1382834-Year-one-child

I have raised this with Mumsnet because we parents have no real way of evaluating what is right - we just have to cast about until we stumble across something that works (often unaided by our schools).

imdreamingofaskyebluechristmas · 23/12/2012 02:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mrz · 23/12/2012 08:47

Thanks PasrSellByDate Xmas Smile and just for the record I wouldn't recommend other websites either including ReadingEggs and Starfall I think most websites, including Mr Thorne's, should carry a health warning ... use with caution.

"As a parent - given you're a TES expert" TES have regularly demonstrated they know very little about phonics so don't be surprised Past.

MrThorne · 23/12/2012 09:52

Thanks for the heads up.

I think that if a particular website/scheme works for you and your child then use it.

Not everyone is pro-phonics, I'm not necessarily pro-phonics but I know how to teach it well and all my website does it teach it well in small bite size videos.

Even the big names like Ruth Miskin and Debbie Hepplewhite have their doubters. Just use what works for you and your child :)

Mr T

mrz · 23/12/2012 10:11

I'm very much pro phonics ...which is why I give a health warning Mr Thorne Wink

noseynoonoo · 23/12/2012 11:54

mrz OP here - my DS is really 'getting' phonics. Is there a website you would recommend? And what is the 'caution' that must be taken?

OP posts:
mrz · 23/12/2012 12:05

I think Mr Thorne has made positive contributions to raising the profile of phonics and as such I'm a fan but IMHO the site contains a number of inaccuracies ...(but I haven't sat and studied the site ) PastSellByDate is apparently still annoyed that I posted a Biscuit comment in response to a post of hers quite some time ago Biscuit

nosetnoonoo I'm afraid I haven't come across any site that I would whole heartedly recommend for children to use ...hence my health warning ... check out the accuracy of what your child is accessing and that they match the way your child is being taught

lljkk · 23/12/2012 12:56

Starfall works well for us. DC are on RWI at school (Miskin).

LaTrucha · 23/12/2012 12:57

What age are these for? DD has had one term in reception.