Reading
Early reading skills develop through playing with rhyme, repetition and sounds.
WATCH
1 min
CURRICULUM
Early Years Learning Framework Links (EYLF):
- Children are connected with and contribute to their world
- Children are confident and involved learners
- Children are effective communicators
NSW Syllabus Links:
Demonstrates developing skills and strategies to read, view and comprehend short, predictable texts on familiar topics in different media and technologies. (ENe-4A)
Demonstrates emerging skills and knowledge of texts to read and view, and shows developing awareness of purpose, audience and subject matter. (ENe-8B)
National Literacy Learning Progressions (LPs)
FAMILIES
READ
2 min
Literacy is best learned through typical situations that are engaging, meaningful and fun.
Reading is the foundation for successful learning and occurs when we connect written ideas with our understanding of the world.
There are 5 components of reading:
- Comprehension – making meaning from what you read
- Phonemic awareness – hearing the sounds that make up words
- Phonics – connecting the sounds and letters
- Fluency – the flow of language
- Vocabulary – a repertoire of words
Rhythm and rhyme shared through nursery rhymes and repetition create an awareness of the sounds that make the English language.
EXPLORE
10 min
Some ideas for learning in the everyday
- Sing songs and nursery rhymes and sing out the words that rhyme
- Read stories that rhyme (e.g. Each Peach Pear Plum) often and allow your child to guess the rhyming words
- Talk about the names and sounds of letters
- Play word games like ‘I spy’
- Read with your child and pay special attention to the sounds of words
TEACHERS

REFLECT
30 min
Reflect on your knowledge and practice
Consider the EYLF, NSW Syllabus and LPs:
- Where have these children come from?
- Where are you taking them?
Think about the learning that happens in your classroom that builds the knowledge and skills for reading.
What do you expect from the early learner?
What do you want parents to know about reading?
How is reading used across the curriculum?
Consider this skill – What are the connections between literacy and numeracy?

ENGAGE
45 min
Engage in a learning conversation with parents
Suggested conversation starters:
Is there anything in the video that challenged your thinking about learning?
What foundational reading skills did you see in the video?
How are the children:
- Practising their skills?
- Testing their ideas?
- Building their knowledge?
Note: Opportunity to share what reading looks like in your classroom.
What opportunity can you create or do you have at home that develops reading?