Skip To Main Content

We Are Readers: Building a Foundation for Literacy

We Are Readers: Building a Foundation for Literacy

Written by Nellie Gibson, Early Childhood Foundations Teacher

Register for our Primary Years Open Day

In Early Childhood Foundations (ECF 5) at the International School of Prague, we cultivate a love for reading by integrating decodable books into our literacy programme.

These simple, engaging books provide a critical bridge between phonics instruction and authentic reading experiences. By supporting the connection between letters, sounds, and words, decodable books empower young learners to see themselves as successful readers. This foundational approach, combined with shared reading and individualised instruction, fosters confidence, joy, and a genuine enthusiasm for the journey of becoming lifelong readers.

 

Enjoyment and Authentic Engagement

We begin our reading program by fostering a love for and engagement with a diverse range of books and literature. Children start by "reading" together, using the pictures to tell the story. As their love for reading grows, we introduce decodable books alongside explicit instruction in letter sounds and names. These books support the development of blending sounds into small two-, three-, and four-letter words within the authentic context of a book.

When introduced at the right time, these books enable all beginning readers to experience success, helping them quickly see themselves as readers.

 

 

 

Phonics in Decodable Books

Decodable books provide children with valuable opportunities to apply their phonics learning. Phonics involves linking the sounds of spoken English to individual letters or groups of letters. For example, the sound /k/ can be represented by c, k, ck, or ch. Teaching children to blend these letter sounds as they read enables them to decode unfamiliar words by sounding them out. For instance, when children learn the sounds for the letters t, p, a, and s, they can begin to decode words like "tap," "taps," "pat," "pats," and "sat."

Decodable Books for Success

Very quickly the children experience success with the simple decodable books and begin to see themselves as readers.

This success fuels their motivation to continue the challenging journey of becoming confident readers. When they can use their knowledge of a small set of letter sounds to create words and read a small story they are being real authentic readers!

 

 

 

Individualised and Shared Learning

Decodable books are carefully chosen to personalise each child’s reading journey, based on their understanding of letter sounds and corresponding symbols. Teachers also consider each child’s reading stamina, fluency, and interests when selecting books. These small books offer excellent opportunities for shared reading and peer learning. Children often become one another’s best teachers, exchanging knowledge and supporting each other’s progress. Sharing decodable books creates joyful reading moments, where interaction with friends and the enjoyment of learning together become powerful motivators for growth.