Phonics

On Wednesday 21st October 2015 Tracy, Lisa and Steph attended a Phonics workshop in Huddersfield delivered by the ’National Day Nursery Association’  (NDNA).

The most valued message we got from the training was the ‘steps to writing’. Parents are often asking staff to make sure their child can write their name. The following information explains the process to being able to write…..

· The starting point for all writing skills is Physical Development.

· In order to become successful writers children need lots of opportunities to develop their motor skills. Motor skills are motions carried out when the brain, nervous system and muscles work together. Children need to build their Gross motor skills in order to develop their Fine Motor skills. 

Children’s muscles need to be developed in the following order for them to become successful writers…….

· 1. Shoulder Muscles, examples of activities we carry out in Nursery are : Crawling, den building, parachute games, gardening (digging), PE sessions, climbing, self dressing, paint brush with bucket of water making large marks outside, drumming etc.

· 2. Elbow Muscles, examples of activities we carry out in Nursery are: Baking, painting, bat and ball, throwing, chalking, shaking instruments, play dough (rolling), zipping up coats, stirring (baking), cars on tracks, small world activities etc.

· 3. Wrist Muscles, examples of activities we carry out in Nursery are: hand washing, cutting up fruit, turning pages in books, mark making, scooping sand, pouring water, self dressing (socks and shoes) dressing dolls, making play dough, using the computer (mouse) etc.

· 4.  Finger Muscles, examples of activities we carry out in Nursery are: Cutting, threading beads, finger puppets, fastening buttons, jigsaws, keyboard typing, magnetic letters etc.

To help your child to become successful writers provide them with activities to develop these muscles so when they start Primary School they are ready to learn to write.

 Letter Sounds -  children should learn each letter by its sound, not its name. There are 26 letters of the alphabet and 44 main sounds in the English language. For more information please speak to Tracy, Lisa or Steph.