Reading - Sounds Foundation!

[Dingle]

DD, 5.5 with Downs Syndrome, is in mainstream school and at long last I have won my battle with the LEA and got a statement. Although...at the moment still no support is in place.

Had a meeting with school today and we discussed getting things organised for putting into action in September when DD will be starting in Y1. One of the things we discussed was the need for a more structured reading programme.

I started using the first Ladybird, Peter and Jane book with DD a month or so ago and she is doing quite well, recognising, signing some words and attempting to say them but the school are still sending home your standard "share with Mummy" type books that are OK just that, sharing, but not necessarily what she needs to progress.

The SN Outreach teacher has discussed with the school about supplying more appropriate books and a possibility is the "Sounds Foundation" scheme. I haven't a clue about these, can anyone shed any light please?

Anyone???

I wish I could help Dingle. Have you tried things like Jolly Phonics, or does she learn better by word recognition? I wonder if there's a discussion board on the DS Association where you might get more answers?

I have been doing Jolly Phonics with her for letter/sound recognition for about 3 years now. I think,according to Downs ED trust, children with DS learn to read first by whole word recognition which then develops into identifying phonemes from those familar "whole" words, if that makes any sense- sorry descibed it really badly.

I have recently gone out and got the Peter and Jane books and although I am only working on the first part of the first book, she is doing well. The school seem to have other ideas up to now though!