Resources for families

At Kingfisher Hall, we use the Read Write Inc. phonics programme to help children learn to read with confidence. In Reception and Key Stage 1, children learn the sounds that letters make and practise blending these sounds together to read words and simple sentences.

Reading at this stage is not just about recognising words. Children also build understanding and vocabulary by listening to stories, talking about pictures and retelling events in their own words.

What Children Are Learning

Phonics (Letter Sounds)

Children learn:

• the sound each letter makes

• special sound pairs such as sh, ch, ai

• how to blend sounds together to read words

• a small number of “tricky” words that cannot be sounded out

Teachers often use a character called Fred, who “speaks in sounds” (for example c-a-t), and children help turn the sounds into a full word.

How You Can Help at Home

You do not need special training – small daily activities make a big difference.

Talk About Sounds

• Ask, “What sound does apple start with?”

• Play simple sound games when walking or travelling.

• Notice letters and sounds in everyday life.

Practise Reading

• Listen to your child read their school book.

• Let them sound out words and use the pictures to check if they are right.

• Re-read favourite books — repetition builds confidence.

Build Vocabulary

• Talk about what you are doing during the day.
• Ask open questions: What did you enjoy today? What happened next?

• When your child names something, repeat it back with more detail.
• “Yes, that’s a big black fluffy cat.”

Encourage Story Understanding

• Look at the front cover and guess what the book might be about.
• Ask simple questions while reading:
• How do you think they feel? What will happen next?
• Use toys or props to retell stories through play.

Extra Support

If a child needs additional help, teachers provide small-group or one-to-one support so that every child can keep progressing at their own pace.

Useful Reading Websites

PhonicsPlay – fun phonics games https://www.phonicsplay.co.uk/

Oxford Owl – free e-books and reading advice https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/reading/

Read Write Inc. letter formation videos https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=read+write+inc+letter+formation&mid=B8F55AE3FED804C3CADAB8F55AE3FED804C3CADA&FORM=VIRE

At Kingfisher Hall, children begin learning maths through play, talk and everyday experiences. In the Early Years, the focus is on building confidence with numbers to 10, recognising small amounts without counting, and noticing simple patterns.

Maths at this stage is not about long worksheets. It is about talking, counting, noticing and exploring numbers in real life.

What Children Are Learning

Number Skills

Children learn to:

• say numbers in order

• match one number to one object when counting

• know that the last number counted is the total

• recognise written numbers

• order numbers

• recognise small amounts quickly without counting (called subitising)

Counting in Everyday Life

Counting happens everywhere, not just in school.

Simple daily opportunities make a big difference:

• counting steps, stairs or cars

• counting shoes or socks when getting dressed

• counting toys, biscuits or pieces of fruit

• setting the table and counting cutlery

• talking about numbers you see around you

• Number rhymes also help, such as Five Currant Buns, Five Little Ducks or Ten Green Bottles.

Recognising Numbers

Children learn to spot numbers in the world around them:

• bus numbers

• house doors

• price labels

• birthday cards

• phones and clocks

• Matching number cards and playing simple number games at home can build confidence.

Subitising – Seeing Numbers Quickly

Subitising means recognising small amounts without counting (for example, knowing there are three dots on a dice instantly).

You can practise this through:

• dice games

• showing fingers and asking “How many?”

• looking at small groups of objects together

Patterns and Ordering

Children explore patterns using colours, shapes and numbers.

They learn to:

• spot repeating patterns

• continue patterns

• create their own simple patterns

You can help by making patterns with toys, socks or food.

Ordering numbers forwards and backwards also helps children understand how numbers grow and shrink.

Shapes

Children learn to recognise and describe 2D and 3D shapes.

At home, you can look for shapes in everyday objects and talk about:

• sides

• corners

• faces

• curved and straight edges

You will be surprised how many shapes appear in daily life.

Useful Maths Websites

BBC Numberblocks https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b08bzfnh/numberblocks

Topmarks Maths Games https://www.topmarks.co.uk/Search.aspx?Subject=16

BBC School Radio Number Rhymes https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/school-radio/articles/zm4nmfr

In Key Stage 2, reading moves from learning sounds to understanding meaning, building vocabulary and reading with fluency. Children are encouraged to read a wide range of fiction, non-fiction and poetry so they become confident, thoughtful readers.

Reading at this stage is about thinking as well as decoding. Children learn to ask questions, explain their opinions and understand the deeper meaning of texts.

What Children Are Learning

Reading Skills

Children learn to:

• read fluently with expression
• understand new vocabulary using context
• summarise what they have read
• explain their opinions with evidence
• make predictions and inferences
• compare texts and authors

How You Can Help at Home

You do not need specialist knowledge – small regular habits make the biggest difference.

Listen to Reading

• Encourage daily reading, even 10–15 minutes.
• Let your child read aloud sometimes, even if they usually read silently.
• Re-reading favourite books builds fluency and confidence.

Talk About Books

• Ask, “What happened?” and “Why do you think that?”
• Discuss characters, settings and endings.
• Encourage your child to explain their opinions.

Build Vocabulary

• Notice interesting words together.
• Ask what words might mean using the sentence around them.
• Encourage use of a dictionary when needed.

Useful Reading Websites

BBC Bitesize Reading – short lessons, videos and quizzes to build reading and grammar skills https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zv48q6f
Oxford Owl – free e-books, reading advice and activities for families https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/reading/
National Literacy Trust – practical tips and book ideas to encourage reading at home https://wordsforlife.org.uk/

BookTrust – book recommendations and reading inspiration by age group https://www.booktrust.org.uk/books-and-reading/

In Key Stage 2, maths focuses on number confidence, reasoning and problem solving. Children practise written methods, learn multiplication tables and apply maths to real-life situations.

Maths at this stage is about understanding why methods work, not just getting the answer.

What Children Are Learning

Maths Skills

Children learn to:

• recall multiplication and division facts
• use written methods for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
• solve word problems
• work with fractions, decimals and percentages
• read charts, tables and graphs
• apply maths to real-life situations

How You Can Help at Home

Practise Number Facts

• Quick times-table games
• Mental maths in the car or walking
• Number quizzes

Use Maths in Daily Life

• Shopping totals and change
• Cooking measurements
• Reading timetables and clocks

Useful Maths Websites

BBC Bitesize Maths https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z826n39
Topmarks Maths Games https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/7-11-years/ordering-and-sequencing
Times Tables Rock Stars https://ttrockstars.com/