The children will complete lots of activities that encourage them to build up the muscles in their hands. This will help to promote a strong pencil grip. Activities might include cutting, sewing, threading and Dough Disco with play dough. This term will focus on learning sounds, mark making and writing names. The children will be singing lots of Nursery Rhymes and Action songs.

Try to read with your child every day – even if it is only for a short period of time as this really helps your child to develop their reading skills. Sit comfortably and let your child hold the book and turn the pages at their speed. The early books don’t have any words, so please encourage your child to talk about what they can see in the pictures. What is happening? Why do you think that? What might happen next? What do you think mum/dad/the dog is saying? Sometimes you might want to take it in turns with your child to ‘read’ a page each. This is fine – try to go with your child and if they are tired or unwilling, leave it until another time.

In the Reading Records, the adults in school will write a comment to assist with you reading with your child at home. It helps us to track who is reading regularly if you sign and/or make a comment in there.

The children will work towards writing some simple rules for their classes. This ownership helps them to develop a sense of community and belonging.

In addition to daily reading, the children will have phonics and high frequency words sent home to practise and learn.