How Phonics Classes Start Your Child On The Right Track

Mastering any language takes time and constant practice. It is important to expose your child as early as possible to phonics, which is invaluable in their journey towards being familiar with English to empower them in their daily lives. Learn more about why phonics is important and the benefits of having your child learn at phonics classes in Singapore.

Why is phonics important for my child’s development?

Phonics refers to a method of teaching how to read and write an alphabetic language, be it young children or adults seeking to learn a new language. It works by demonstrating the relationship between the units of sound of a spoken language, known as phonemes; and the letters that consist of the written language, known as graphemes. Each language has its own structure and rules for pronunciation, and English is no exception, with 26 letters and 44 phonemes.

Phonics breaks words down into their individual syllables, helping children in Singapore to learn English effectively through facilitating improved accuracy when identifying and speaking them, as well as rapidly expanding their vocabulary and their ability to pronounce novel words. This allows them to advance their reading proficiency and successfully complete increasingly complex books which introduce new vocabulary and concepts, honing their critical thinking, curiosity, and creativity.

Another advantage of phonics is that by teaching children the essential analytical skills for understanding the English language, it helps them to reduce their reliance on rote learning and memorisation. This is particularly important given that children will rapidly encounter new words in the course of reading, and also allows them greater freedom and agency to read and learn English on their own, in contrast to only learning new words during a class setting. 

How do phonics classes benefit my child?

Generally, children are able to grasp phonics from approximately 3 to 4 years of age, after they can properly identify the 26 letters of the English alphabet. Phonics classes in Singapore adopt a range of approaches to effectively introduce children to phonics. One common example is synthetic phonics which associates phonemes with particular graphemes, learning how to pronounce the phoneme for each letter in a word. Another method is analytical phonics, where common phonemes in a set of words are identified, such as the ‘b’ sound in “big, bed, and book”.

At Writers Studio’s phonics classes in Singapore, our experienced tutors pave the way for your child to learn English through various engaging activities, such as learning fun rhymes and interactive hands-on exercises such as labeling word charts and using clip wheels. Not only do these activities reinforce your child’s ability to identify, hear, and utilise sounds, but they also stimulate your child’s mind in other areas beyond phonics for their holistic development.

In addition, our tutors are highly patient and passionate about teaching children, constantly motivating them and celebrating their progress over time. In addition to enabling your child to gradually build up their vocabulary of complex words and string together longer sentences, it also improves their confidence in both verbal and written expression. Tutors can also recommend to parents various rhyming picture books to further their child’s learning and practice beyond weekly lessons.

Writers Studio’s phonics classes in Singapore provide the foundations to help your child learn English effectively. Contact us today to learn more about our courses and rates.