'Using picture clues and context are great for developing comprehension'

[Sleeperandthespindle]

This is the response I got to asking for decodable books from school for 4 year old in reception who is guessing from pictures when presented with Biff and Chip.

I don't agree. I can ignore the books sent home and give him others, I know, but he is clearly being taught to 'guess' in school.

The school are unlikely to change their mind, I realise, but older DC (in the same school) is struggling very greatly with literacy and the general approach seems unhelpful.

Without me hijacking this thread any further, in case those who have participated to the thread I started do not get notifications, can you have a look?
I think I am in need of advice...
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/primary/2915468-Resources-for-phonics?watched=1&msgid=68725779#68725779

My ds sounds exactly like cantkeepaway's ds.
But his reading ability was pretty much decoding ability.
His comprehension wasn't so great. Take the text literally(likely to be asd traits). So we had to work really hard on his comprehension skills.
But his decoding skill has shone once again when he started learning piano. He learned reading music quite easily.

Miaow, I always had to hide when I'm reading/writing something, especially MN!

If I had to write a letter/notes, ds proof reads for me. So if I make mistakes on MN, that's because I won't let him do it on MN.

Yes there are definitely children who figure out phonics for themselves and those with a good sight vocab who will remember any word they have been told.

These children are in a minority though and I'd argue that even they get reading much quicker when the code is explained to them rather than having to work it out for themselves.

I'm still not convinced it makes any difference from a research point of view.

And yes I would be worried by her poor phonics for spelling