If your child has done well with learning their phonics and reading…

[RedRobyn24]

Please can I have some tips on how I can support my reception age DD with learning phonics?

We read a lot together and we’ve just been doing whatever the teacher has sent home, the first two weeks it was books with just pictures which we were told to read together at least 4 times. This week she was given a book with some words in it, like 3 words. But I was also given a sheet with sounds she should know now and I’m not sure she does know them well there’s about 12 letters.

I don’t really know where she should be up to so I’m a bit lost and keep worrying I’m not doing enough to help

Lots of good suggestions here.

Also, buy an old fashioned wooden abacus and out it on the breakfast table. Play hunt the letter, Make up words - the sillier the better! Never make it a chore, just loads of fun.

Just keep going with it and read books to her. Mine knew no phonics before reception and didn't know the full alphabet. They just take off with it when the neurons connect in their brain. That can be anywhere between age 3 and 6 for most. Mine was later deemed "gifted" in English and is now in medicine. Reading early makes no difference. Most end primary able to read. What's important is that they love it. But there's no rush whatsoever.

@Greentopping Many very bright dc do read early because they very much work it out for themselves. It’s absolutely untrue to say all “take off” or there wouldn’t be Sen support needed for reading. Many do struggle with reading and always will. No one can say just because one 4 year old didn’t get introduced to sounds and the alphabet before YR and is now a doctor really doesn’t mean all dc who haven’t grasped this at nursery are equally “gifted”. Plenty will continue to struggle as stats tell us.