Early Writing and Reading

Phonics 

Phonics is taught across Early Years with a strong emphasis on a firm foundation in Phase One.  Phonics is taught through a variety of ways to ensure that learning is stimulating and fun.  Phonics is taught through group/whole class sessions, play, games, music, activities within the environment, and through reading and writing activities.  Supporting learning at home is valuable and parents can attend workshops to understand how to support their child’s learning.  Rainbow words are used in Reception to support the reading and writing of words linked to phonics learning. Extra support is put into place where needed, particularly linked to speech and language intervention.  This is through group or individual intervention (including WELLCOM).

Fostering a love of reading 

Books and reading are central to our curriculum in Early Years, they are used as a stimulus for learning.  We provide sharing books for parents and children to share together.  We have a well-stocked library for you to visit after school.

During their time in Early Years the children will have an opportunity to visit our local library.

Mark-making 

We provide a variety of mark-making opportunities across our settings.  These include:

• Drawing with chalk, pens, pencils, etc
• Drawing in different mediums: e.g. mud, sand, snow, paint, shaving foam or flour
• Using stencils and tracing

We try to provide a range of opportunities to stimulate mark-making.  For example, writing in the role-play area or creating signs and labels.

Handwriting Envelopment 

At Pear Tree Mead we use Letter-join.  This scheme teaches children to write in a cursive handwriting style which allows them to eventually join their writing.  https://www.letterjoin.co.uk/log-in.html

We encourage the children to sit with their feet on the floor in an upright position when they are writing at the table.  As the children’s motor skills develop they will form a tripod grip.