How do we help our families understand that more formal phonics learning starts in Reception?

1. Support your families to understand the core pedagogical principles of the EYFS. A great starting place for this is the Foundation Years guide, What to expect in the Early Years. Share this with families and refer back to it regularly so that it becomes a familiar document for everyone.

2. Underline the overarching importance of Communication and Language. Getting this area really spot on will set your children up in the best possible way for school and future success. As Development Matters states: “The development of children’s spoken language underpins all seven areas of learning and development.”

3. Encourage parents to focus on the playing, chatting and reading. There is a huge evidence base to support the value of these three activities over and above teaching more formal skills at a younger age.  

4. Explain that for children to become expert readers when they start school, they need to have strong language comprehension, phonological awareness and, most importantly, a love of books! Little Wandle’s approach prioritises exactly these three strands of pre-phonics through our Love of Reading, Foundations for Phonics and Foundations for Language programmes.  

5. Make use of our parent presentations and handouts. Run sessions with your families so that they can ask you all the questions they have about your approach.