Hi parents, in this post, we are discussing on the benefits of synthetic phonics for primary school student.
We are always concerned about how our child could learn to read effectively? What special secrets lie in the sought-after phonics programs offered in Singapore? What benefits can my primary schooler receive using the phonics approach particularly, the synthetic phonics strategy.
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Today we shall focus on synthetic phonics, an approach to phonics that dates as far back as 1655, when a French mathematician, French Blaise Pascal invented it. Synthetic phonics is also known as blended phonics or inductive phonics, and is a method of learning English which first covers the letter sounds and then followed by blending these sounds together to attain complete pronunciation of whole words so that words put together will then form phrases and sentences. In reverse, a blended word can also be broken up or segmented into individual sounds.
Presently, synthetic phonics has been found to be one of the most effective approaches to teaching lower primary school children to read and to spell.
Approaches to Phonics Besides Synthetic Phonics For Primary School Student
However, there are other approaches to teaching reading that are also used in primary schools. Here are some of the main differences between synthetic phonics and other reading approaches:
- Analytic phonics: This approach focuses on teaching children to recognize whole words or syllables, rather than individual sounds. It is less structured than synthetic phonics and can be more difficult for children with learning difficulties.
- Whole language: It emphasizes the meaning of text over the mechanics of reading. Children are encouraged to use context clues and their own experiences to understand what they are reading. However, this approach has been criticized for not providing enough structure and support for struggling readers.
- Phonemic awareness: Here we focus on developing children’s ability to identify and manipulate individual sounds in spoken language. It is often used in conjunction with synthetic phonics instruction.
- Language experience: It can be effective for children who are not yet ready to learn to read using more formal methods. As this approach involves using children’s own language and experiences as the basis for reading instruction
Benefits of Synthetic Phonics
The benefits of synthetic phonics for primary school students are numerous.
Here are some of them:
- Improved Reading Skills Leading to Independent Reading and Writing:
Early instruction in synthetic phonics can provide primary school students with the necessary skills to become fluent and competent readers and spellers at an earlier age than other approaches to teaching literacy. Synthetic phonics does help children develop and sharpen their reading skills, including reading accuracy, fluency, and comprehension. - Enhanced phonological awareness:
Synthetic phonics can help school children develop their phonological awareness, which is the ability to identify and manipulate the sounds in words. Donald R. Bear, Marcia Invernizzi, Shane Templeton and Francine Johnson, authors of “Words Their Way,” mention that learning phonics allows students to find the regular patterns of words, and connect them for easier reading. Unfamiliar words are easier for unravel as children develop their phonemic awareness. - Better coding and spelling skills:
Research seems to support synthetic phonics programs, with its strong code emphasis, as the most effective method of literacy instruction. It even helps school children improve their spelling skills, including their ability to spell irregular words and sight words. - Increased confidence:
Synthetic phonics can help primary school students feel more confident in their ability to read and spell words. Self-esteem improves as a student realizes he or she can now read aloud and also decipher words and phrases independently.
- Strong Thinking Skills:
Phonics-trained students demonstrate superior performance in critical thinking, concentration, and memory, which are important for overall cognitive development.
- Vocabulary Expansion:
It provides a foundation for learning new words, enabling kids to decode and understand unfamiliar words, thus enhancing their vocabulary,
- Long-term Educational Benefits:
Teaching primary school students how to read using synthetic phonics results in significant long-term benefits especially for disadvantaged pupils, children with learning difficulties and those who do not have English as their first language, according to research.
The study by the Centre for Economic Performance (CEP) at the London School of Economics (LSE) is the first large-scale analysis of the effects of using the method, which teaches children to read by identifying and pronouncing sounds rather than individual letters. Researchers tracked the progress of more than 270,000 pupils in 150 local authorities that introduced the policy at different times. They found that children taught phonics had made better progress by the age of seven than those taught using other methods. – The Guardian
Other Benefits of Synthetic Phonics For Primary School Student
In addition to these benefits, synthetic phonics has been shown to be effective in improving literacy outcomes for primary school students. Studies have found that school children of diverse backgrounds who receive synthetic phonics instruction perform better on reading and spelling tests than students who receive other types of reading instruction.
Implementation of Synthetic Phonics
To implement synthetic phonics in primary schools, the teachers there need to receive appropriate training and support. The instruction should be systematic, explicit, and structured, with a focus on developing children’s phonemic awareness and phonics skills. Its phonics instruction should also be integrated with other literacy activities, such as reading aloud, shared reading, and writing.
Conclusion
While there are many different approaches to teaching reading, synthetic phonics has been shown to be one of the most effective methods for teaching children to read. It provides a structured, systematic approach to teaching children the relationships between sounds and letters, which can help all children learn to read, including those with learning difficulties.
Systematic phonics instruction results in better progress in children’s ability to comprehend what they read than non-systematic or no phonics instruction. This is not surprising because the ability to read the words in a text accurately and quickly is highly related to successful reading comprehension. In short, synthetic phonics not only facilitates reading and writing but also contributes to the overall cognitive and academic development of primary schoolers.
More resources – SAM @ Hougang.