Literacy in the Early Years

It is crucial for children to develop a life-long love of reading. Reading consists of two dimensions: language comprehension and word reading. Language comprehension (necessary for both reading and writing) starts from birth. It only develops when adults talk with children about the world around them and the books (stories and non-fiction) they read with them, and enjoy rhymes, poems and songs together. Skilled word reading, taught later, involves both the speedy working out of the pronunciation of unfamiliar printed words (decoding) and the speedy recognition of familiar printed words. Writing involves transcription (spelling and handwriting) and composition (articulating ideas and structuring them in speech, before writing).

Little Wandle Letters and Sounds

Here at Kingston Park Primary School phonics is taught as part of a broad and rich curriculum that engages children in a range of activities and experiences to develop their reading, writing and spelling.  We follow the 'Little Wandle Letters and Sounds' programme as a systematic scheme. It is taught daily in discrete 30 minute sessions and phonics knowledge and skills are reinforced and applied across the curriculum. 

Reading books are matched to children's phonic levels and reading is taught in guided sessions three times per week.  

For more information about how we teach phonics and reading see the presentation below or look for the phonics tab under Key Information (creative curriculum.)

Writing in the Early Years

The development of mark making is an exciting time in Reception.  The progress over the course of the year is astounding. 

Take a look at the following presentation to find out how writing develops and what we do as a school to foster a love of writing.