Reading

Children are regularly read to by adults and are encouraged to choose to read a range of stories, rhymes and non-fiction books from the class reading area, either to themselves or with friends. They are taught to understand the meaning of text, to decode letters and words and, in time, to read sentences and whole books. Children often learn to read in a different way and at a different pace from their peers. Therefore, we teach reading in different ways so that each individual child's needs are met.

Writing

From the beginning of Reception, we teach children that their mark making or writing can convey meaning by asking them to read it to or with us. A range of learning opportunities is planned for so that children experience writing in a range of contexts. For example, they may write letters, notes, to tell a story or to add a caption to a drawing. Children are encouraged to think about the vocabulary that they use in their writing and to use any 'interesting' words they may have learned. Children achieve readiness for writing as their fine motor skills develop and they become more able to hold and control objects, tools and writing implements. In Reception, children are taught the correct formation of letters as part of their phonics sessions, to help reinforce the link between sounds of letters (phonemes) and letter shapes (graphemes).

Phonics

The teaching of phonics begins one day one of Reception. Phonics lessons are taught daily however, our phonic skills and knowledge are used in all areas of learning across the curriculum. Children are taught to hear, say, recognise and write phase 2, phase 3 and some phase 4 phonemes and their corresponding letter graphemes. We teach phonics using the Monster Phonics scheme, as well as using a wide range of games and resources to support children's learning of phonics.