Learning Our Phonic Sounds In a Fun Interactive Way

 

In Pre-Reception the students start to learn phonics which provides the building blocks to later success in reading. We use the Jolly Phonics programme as one of our tools to learn the letter sounds and names. It is a fun and multi-sensory method which is active, with stories, actions and rhymes. Multi-sensory learning is when students learn with all their senses, they are then more likely to remember what they learn.

Here we have some hands-on activities that we did during the week that are fun and interactive:

• Playdough is synonymous with excitement for students of all ages. Phonics can also be made more enjoyable for students using playdough. Playdough mats allow the students to form the sound correctly. This activity encourages not only sound recognition, but also fine motor skills development.
• Students all benefit from this great kinesthetic activity. The students practiced writing the sound with their fingers. A salt tray engages the senses and is an exciting way for students to learn how to form the sounds correctly.
• Q-tip painting is a fun way to strengthen their fine motor skills while learning the sounds.
• The students enjoyed creating their ‘S is for Snake’ activity. In addition to being fun, this activity helps students strengthen their fine motor skills that they will need for writing and helping them with phonemic awareness.

We introduced the Pre-Reception students to the Sound Puppy as well, the students will take turns to take him home with them and find something that starts with the sound of the alphabet that we are learning about this week at home and bring it back to school the following day.

It is important that we as teachers and parents put a lot of effort in phonic activities as students at this age develop their basic ability to recognise sounds. This can help the students to become better readers, writers and listeners in the future.

Martie van Dyk

Pre-Reception Teacher