Geraldine passed away in May this year. She was a valued member of the Reading Reform Foundation, as well as a dear colleague and friend to many of us. Geraldine was a passionate advocate of systematic synthetic phonics and knowledge-based learning. Her work focused...
What do I do when they find it difficult? Part 1 Of all the aspects of teaching reading and spelling, perhaps the trickiest is blending, especially when teaching those learners who find it difficult. Blending is the cornerstone of reading and without this skill...
Children should experience stories, books and literature as early as possible. When they cannot yet read words easily and independently, they delight in having stories read aloud to them – it is simply the best way for them to enjoy literature at this...
“Does anyone know of any effective interventions for children who cannot decode?” Here is Carl Pattison’s response to this common question:
Books are magical: they hook us in with their power. The power of questions; the power of not wanting the book to end; the power of creating unique pictures that will always be better than watching the movie; the power of learning about our world through distant...
Everyone interested in literacy wants children to enjoy reading. This includes parents, teachers, children’s authors and campaigning groups like the National Literacy Trust and the Reading Reform Foundation. At the same time, we want children to read for meaning. Of...
The Children, Young People and Education Committee (CYPE) of Wales sent a letter to Elizabeth Nonweiler, Chair of the RRF and previous member of Wales' "Expert Literacy Panel", asking for her views. Her response explains why CAL:ON Cymru, the government’s initiative...
Elizabeth Nonweiler has stepped down from the Welsh Government’s Expert Literacy Panel, raising serious concerns about the direction of national literacy policy. In a public letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Education, she warns that the newly announced £8.2 million...
Whether you are the Department for Education, a school or a parent you may find your answer here. As an Educational Psychologist I’ve spent much of my career fascinated by dyslexia and the struggles some children face when learning to read. I’d like to tell you...
Here is a letter from the RRF to Jamie Oliver, in response to his important campaign advocating for improved education and support for those with dyslexia. The Reading Reform Foundation Dear Jamie Oliver, Thank you for advocating for children who have had difficulty...