It’s nearly time to open the first door of the advent calendar!

The run-up to Christmas can be incredibly busy in primary schools, and perhaps the busiest place of all is Reception. With learning songs and lines for the Nativity, making cards, Christmas tree decorations, and even a special visitor, there doesn’t seem to be a spare second. Working in Reception at Christmas time really is the most wonderful time of the year.

In and amongst all the magic, we mustn’t forget that this is a key time for children’s reading development. Do you have some children who can say the sounds in response to the grapheme but are currently not able to blend these sounds to read words? This is an essential skill to try to secure before we begin 2025.

So, what do we need to ensure we continue (and even increase) in these final weeks of term?

• Daily Phonics Lessons: Ensure that we have every single daily phonics lesson, even if that means delivering it at a different time of the day.
• Reading Groups: If reading groups are taught separately, these should also continue as they are vital for developing fluency and automaticity.
• Phonics Interventions: It is essential to prioritise daily phonics interventions for those children working behind the pace of the programme.
• Regular Assessments: Continue to use frequent assessments to target gaps in children’s knowledge.