Week 0 (optional) informal assessment - Phonics Phase 2 - Resource

The All Aboard Phonics programme introduces a flexible Week 0 for Foundation Stage children, acknowledging that they come with varying levels of phonics and early reading exposure. This optional week serves as an informal assessment period, allowing educators to gauge the children's existing knowledge and readiness for more structured phonics learning. During this time, teachers can decide whether to proceed directly to Week 1 or spend additional time on Week 0 activities. Each session is designed to last approximately 10-15 minutes and is recommended to be conducted once daily. Activities are focused on establishing good phonics learning behaviours, such as attentive listening and controlled movement, and are coupled with fun games like "All Aboard!" where children quickly prepare for phonics learning.

Week 0 includes a variety of engaging exercises aimed at developing phonemic awareness and listening skills. Children play with sounds through rhyming games, rhythm chanting, and sound segmentation, such as breaking down words into individual sounds and blending them back together. They also participate in interactive activities like "What's in the Box?" and "Odd One Out," which sharpen their ability to distinguish and manipulate sounds. Extension activities further enrich the learning experience, with options like listening walks, singing, mark making, and themed games that encourage exploration of sounds and rhymes. These activities not only lay a foundation for phonics learning but also foster a love for reading and language in a playful and inclusive environment.