Your shopping bag is empty
Go to the shopThe 7 building blocks children need to start reading and writing
SYLLABIFICATION
How to break up words into syllables. For example, the word elephant can be broken up into three parts e –la-phant.
You can help your child develop this skill by clapping the syllables in words.
-
WHY CHILDREN NEED THIS SKILLSyllabification assists with spelling and reading of unfamiliar long words
RHYMING
How to identify and produce rhyming words. For example, the word hat rhymes with the word bat.
You can help you child develop this skill by reading them books containing rhymes e.g. Dr Suess books.
-
WHY CHILDREN NEED THIS SKILLIf a child wants to spell the word mat but is unsure of how to spell it, referring to a word that rhymes can assist (e.g. bat).
If a child is having difficulty reading an unfamiliar word, referring them to a rhyming word can assist.
LETTERS AND SOUNDS (PHONICS)
Having an awareness of speech sounds and their matching letters.
You can help your child develop this skill by reading the Sound School book with them and using the character/letters cards.
-
WHY CHILDREN NEED THIS SKILLKnowing the relationship between letters and the sounds they make is a necessary skill to begin the reading and spelling process.
FORMING LETTERS
How to write each letter in the easiest way for efficiency when writing.
Help your child form letters in a fun way!
-
WHY CHILDREN NEED THIS SKILLProper letter formation is essential for efficient and fluid writing.
SEGMENTING
How to break up words into individual sounds. For example, the word dog can be broken up into 3 sounds /d/ - /o/ - /g/.
You can help your child develop this skill by playing a game like ‘Eye Spy’. Rather than using letter names, use speech sounds. For example ‘eye spy with my little eye something beginning with the sound /s/’.
-
WHY CHILDREN NEED THIS SKILLSegmenting forms the foundation skill required for spelling.
BLENDING
How to join sounds together to form words. For example, the sounds /c/ - /a/ - / t/ can be joined together to form the word /cat/.
You can help your child develop this skill by using the Sound School character cards to form simple words with your child.
-
WHY CHILDREN NEED THIS SKILLBlending forms the foundation skill required for reading.
VOCABULARY
Knowledge of words and their meanings.
You can help your child develop this skill by exploring different environments.
For example, the beach, the farm, the zoo, on various forms of transport, birthday parties, the park, the movies etc and talking about the experience.
-
WHY CHILDREN NEED THIS SKILLResearch shows that children who have a solid and enriched vocabulary have greater success when learning how to read, write and spell.
Welcome to the magical world of Sound School where letters and sounds come alive!
Clara
Fizzy Frank
Granny Smith Apple
Heavy Harriet
Larry Lizard
Mr Shoosh Red
Muffins
Nosey Nick
Octopus
Pancake Pete
SqueakyMouse
Walrus Red