Can anyone explain TRUGS and tell me what I'm missing at this meeting?

[Ilikepie]

DS1 is in reception. There is a meeting for parents to discuss how we can help our children learn to read and about something called TRUGS. I'd like to have gone but DS2 (3) is a live wire and wouldn't have let me listen anyway and there is no-one to take him, whilst DD(10months) is teething and eczema-y and would also have distracted me. I've googled TRUGS but while i see the product and promo, I can't see how the method works. anyone? And any tips for helping DS read? He has very little curiosity in letters and numbers; DS2 is more interested tbh. Eye-spy with phonics sounds and counting things go down a treat with ds2 but ds1 seems to find it all a bit abstract and can't even get the idea of phonics sounds and writing. I'm worried about missing the meeting as i do want to help DS1 as much as possible. TIA.

I have never heard of it so can't help with TRUGS but do explain to the school why you were unable to attend and ask if there is a handout you could have. The fact is you ARE interested and want to support him but were unable to attend rather than you aren't interested. I am sure under the circumstances the staff will be happy to fill you in.

Good idea, i will!

TRUGS is a collection of games based on Letter/sound correspondences. I would be surprised if they were the basis of the school's reading instruction programme but they are very useful for supporting learning by practising reading words through sounding out and blending. I used them as an 'add on' at secondary school and found them quite helpful.

Does the school give your DS any phonics based stuff to practise with at home?

I agree that it would be best to contact the school and see if there is any information they can give you about their method of phonics instruction even though you cannot get to the meeting.

Thank you maizieD. School have been quite helpful actually.

We use TRUGs a lot as intervention for children who are struggling with reading (juniors) and I can see it's place for teaching early reading but I do find it strange that the school are presumably pushing it for parents to buy to use at home? From what I remember it was quite expensive!