Introducing Initial Consonant Blends (3 years +) - Teacher Notes

The Guinea Pig Education's Pre Reader Work Packs are designed to provide children aged three years and above with an engaging and efficient way to learn reading skills. The philosophy behind these packs is that with the right tools and approach, children can learn to read within a relatively short period of six months to a year. The packs focus on phonics, which involves learning the sounds that make up words. This method equips children with the ability to decode around 80% of words in the English language, while the remaining 20% are learned through recognition and repetition.

These work packs are structured to introduce children to the fundamental elements of reading, starting with initial consonant blends and vowel sounds. Through activities such as word building, sentence making, and games like snap and bingo, children practice blending sounds to create words and eventually sentences. The packs are designed for ease of use, with clear instructions for the adult leading the session, whether it's with an individual child or a group. The aim is to make learning to read a fun and interactive process, with children encouraged to personalise their learning materials through drawing and to play games that reinforce their new skills. It is recommended that each new sound is practiced repeatedly until the child is confident before moving on to the next stage, ensuring a solid foundation for their reading journey.