Help Your Child

Reading

1.Enjoy books – read with and share reading simpler books;

2.Talk about what has happened, what happens next etc.

3.Ask did you like it? What did you like best etc.

4.Ask why did …… happen etc.

5.Sight vocabulary: learning sight vocabulary (words not phonically regular) is mainly a visual skill; learn in groups of three on flash cards – first one: look, say, child says, turn over. Repeat. Second one repeat. Both together repeat. Ask child to point to…. Ask child to say….. Third one: repeat.

6.Phonics – the sounds which make up words – learn first sounds a-z and ch, sh, th. Use sounds to make and read 2 letter words (eg. A-t, I-n etc). Then c-v-c words – eg. C-a-t, d-o-g. Get child to make words using letter cards and read word back – eg. You say the word cat; then say like a robot – c-a-t. Get child to say first sound, second sound, last sound etc. then to read back. When fluent with c-v-c go onto c-c-v-c – eg. Ch-I-p, sh-I-p etc.

Writing

1.Spelling of high frequency words (words not phonically regular) – use ‘look-say-cover-say-write-say-check’; eg. Point to word; child takes a ‘photo’; say the word together; child writes the word (whilst word has been covered up – from memory), saying it again; check the word – if correct go not next one;

2.Spelling phonically reglular words – eg. Cat, dog, chip, etc. Start with 2 letter words – eg. At – say word, ask child to say what it starts with, say word like a robot a-t; ask child to say what starts with – get child to write letter for the sounds. Go not c-v-c then c-c-v-c words.

Handwriting

Form letters in the air; paint letters; write big letters; write letters on back (guessing game); write with finger onto sandpaper – follow the guide for formation; run in the shape of the letter; walk in the shape of the letter etc. This can be combined with learning sounds of letters

Numbers

Use every opportunity to engage in counting, adding, subtracting, using mathematical language etc.

Number Facts

Learn as sight words – eg. 2+3=5: on a card, get child to say; cover; repeat; ask child 2+3 etc. lots of repetition. Learn with pictures/ objects.