Little Wandle Phonics

 Programme Overview

Please find below a link to the presentation shared at the September meeting introducing Parents and Carers to our new Phonics scheme Little Wandle for Letters and Sounds and a copy of our Phonics and Early reading policy.

Phonics and Reading Presentation for Parents

Phonics and Early Reading Policy

Reception and Year 1 programme overview

Please find below additional information regarding our phonics scheme – Little Wandle 

Why learning to read is so important

  • Reading is essential for all subject areas and improves life chances.
  • Positive attitudes to reading and choosing to read have academic, social and emotional benefits for children.

How children learn to read

  • Phonics is the only route to decoding.
  • Learning to say the phonic sounds.
  • By blending phonic sounds to read words.
  • Increasing the child’s fluency in reading sounds, words and books.

Reading fully decodable books

  • Children must read books consistent with their phonic knowledge.
  • It is essential not to use other strategies to work out words (including guessing words, deducing meaning from pictures, grammar, context clues or whole word recognition).  
  • Books must be fully decodable and follow the Little Wandle scheme
  • Children need to read books in a progressive sequence until they can decode unfamiliar words confidently.

The role of Parents’ and Carers’ 

  • Have a positive impact on their child’s reading.
  • Model the importance of reading practice to develop fluency.
  • Ensure children re read the decodable book they have read at school at home to build fluency.
  • Give supportive and positive feedback to children as they read.
  • Read at home to inspire a love of books, along with developing vocabulary and discussion.
  • Parents are encouraged to use voices, expression, discuss unfamiliar vocabulary, talk about the pictures, and predict what might happen next.
  • Give positive yet informative feedback in the home reading diary at least 3 times a week

Supporting your child with reading

Although your child will be taught to read at school, you can have a huge impact on their reading journey by continuing their practice at home.

There are two types of reading book that your child will bring home:

Reading practice book –This will be at the correct phonic stage for your child. They should be able to read this fluently and independently.

This book has been carefully matched to your child’s current reading level. If your child is reading it with little help, please don’t worry that it’s too easy – your child needs to develop fluency and confidence in reading.

Listen to them read the book. Remember to give them lots of praise – celebrate their success! If they can’t read a word, read it to them. After they have finished, talk about the book together.

Sharing book – Your child will not be able to read this on their own. This book is for you both to read and enjoy together.

In order to encourage your child to become a lifelong reader, it is important that they learn to read for pleasure. The sharing book is a book they have chosen for you to enjoy together.  Please remember that you shouldn’t expect your child to read this alone. Read it to or with them. Discuss the pictures, enjoy the story, predict what might happen next, use different voices for the characters, explore the facts in a non-fiction book. The main thing is that you have fun!

Little Wandle Home Learning Support videos

These videos have been designed by The Little Wandle Team to be shared with families to help them support learning at home.

Phase 2 sounds taught in Reception Autumn 1 video  

This Phase 2 sounds taught in Reception Autumn 2 video is designed to be shared with families to help them to support learning at home

This Phase 3 sounds taught in Reception Spring 1 video is designed to be shared with families to help them support the learning at home.

This Phase 3 sounds taught in Reception Spring 1 video is designed to be shared with families to help them support the learning at home.

How to say Phase 5 sounds from Little Wandle on Vimeo.

How to say Phase 5 sounds

This How we teach blending video is designed to be shared with families to help them support the learning at home.

This Quick Guide to Alien words is designed to be shared with families to help them understand the purpose of Alien words and support learning at home.

This How we teach tricky words video is designed to be shared with families to help them support the learning at home.