Introduction
The ability to read and write is a key life skill that paves the way for success at school and in the world beyond.
Before your child reaches school age, you can play a vital role in helping your child embark on this learning journey.
Phonics is a way of decoding written letters and spoken sounds and it can be introduced in many fun and varied ways at home with your child.
Laying the foundations of phonics can begin with games that identify the sounds around us - and continue all the way up to being able to sound out simple everyday words.
How CBeebies can help
Visit the Alphablocks pages on the CBeebies website and introduce your child to the 26 letters of the alphabet and the sounds they make.
Your child will enjoy watching the letters come to life, listening to the songs and playing the games. There are also colouring in sheets they can print out.
You and your child could also click through to the Fun with Phonics pages on the CBeebies website. You can help Polly Phonic the parrot spell simple words, say hello to Whirlyword and try to sound out and read the words he brings up.
There are lots of letter sounds to print out and colour, as well as short video clips focusing on a variety of letter sounds.
How to make a magic moment
It's time to be a sound detective! Explain to your child that you are going to hunt for some special objects. You could choose a sound to search for, for example, things that start with a 'b' sound.
Armed with a magnifying glass, a bag and notepad, go for a hunt around your home. Every time you spot something beginning with a 'b' you can write down the name of the object whilst your child pops it in the bag. Can you find a bear, a ball, a boat, a bag, a banana and maybe some beans?
You could always put pictures of some of the more unusual objects around the house before you start your hunt to help add to the fun!
When you have finished, count up how many things you have found and show your child how each object is written. Can they spot that each word starts with the sound 'b'?
