Research reveals that additional practice in blending printed letter sounds significantly aids struggling beginner readers in reception classes.
While it might sound strange, it can actually be beneficial for lots of kids.
Let's find out why.
How it works
In England, children are taught to read using synthetic phonics, focusing on letter sounds ('phonemes') and their written representations ('graphemes').
For instance, words like 'my' and 'lie' share the same phoneme but have different graphemes.
Successful learning involves 'letter sound knowledge' (LSK) and 'phonological awareness' (PA).
LSK is the recognition of sounds represented by letters, while PA is awareness of individual sounds in words.
Although phonics improves reading, teachers often grapple with effective support for struggling students.
The study found that additional training in blending printed letter sounds is particularly beneficial, enhancing PA, a vital skill for reading.
The researchers collaborated with teachers, identifying 222 struggling readers from 12 primary schools.
Each child participated in half a term of targeted intervention, focusing on sounding out printed letters, blending sounds aloud, and both sounding out and blending printed letter sounds.
Why it's important
The findings emphasize the importance of blending practice in reading support, and the researchers plan to collaborate further with teachers to develop practical classroom strategies.
Scientists suggest engaging children in blending sounds within words while pointing to printed letters, fostering connections between letters, sounds, and words.
Incorporating pictures and context sentences enhances enjoyment and understanding, making reading an engaging and meaningful activity.
The research aims to guide teachers and parents in effective reading support techniques for struggling readers.
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