Phonics is critical for helping youngsters understand language structure and reducing grammar and syntax, both of which are necessary for efficient communication.
Among a variety of teaching strategies, Phonics, a traditional preschool strategy that helps children learn to read by helping them comprehend the relationship between sounds and symbols in an alphabetic writing system, is particularly effective. It creates the groundwork for good reading and writing skills, but children must be exposed to this learning process from an early age.
Phonics is also recommended in early childhood education by the 2020 National Education Policy (NEP) and the NIPUN (National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy) recommendations.
Several states, including Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Odisha, have also embraced Jolly Phonics, a Department of Education-approved programme that systematically teaches phonics, grammar, spelling, and punctuation throughout the school year.
Why is it important for children to learn phonics?
Phonics is important for a variety of reasons; it lays the groundwork for strong literacy later in life and helps children develop essential reading and writing abilities.
It can be especially useful for youngsters learning the fundamentals of English since it allows them to decipher unfamiliar words using sounds rather than memorising them, so improving their understanding of the written English syntax, which is often different from their original language. However, schools all throughout the world use different techniques to teaching phonics.
Phonics serve different learning needs
All children learn differently, and phonics is well-suited to meeting their unique learning demands. In certain circumstances, phonics training progresses from the easiest to the most difficult sounds, starting with single letter sounds found in words such as “cat,” “hat,” “rat,” and “fat.”
This strategy frequently incorporates multi-sensory exercises and storytelling. Another way is to teach phonics through word families, in which students investigate patterns and connections in groups of words that have common sounds. Some schools use interactive technology, such as educational applications and games, to engage pupils in phonics instruction.
Phonics provides the building blocks of language proficiency
Phonics is critical for helping youngsters understand language structure and reducing grammar and syntax, both of which are necessary for efficient communication. Phonics teaches children how to articulate themselves clearly and confidently, whether in writing or speaking.
Phonics boosts learner confidence
In a nutshell, phonics simplifies complexity and boosts children’s confidence as they progress through the curriculum more easily.
Phonics enhances sentence and letter recognition while also improving spelling skills. Children who do not speak English well may struggle with its pronunciation and grammar standards. Phonics can help students better understand these norms, resulting in greater fluency and long-term communication abilities.
How do you introduce a child to phonics?
Seek guidance on activities and tactics that will help your child’s reading and writing skills.
Encourage children to enunciate words and increase comprehension and involvement by asking questions about the story. Repetition is essential in cementing knowledge, so revisiting beloved books reinforces concepts and builds a lifelong love of reading.
