At St Nicolas Academy, we teach phonics and early reading through the Read Write Inc. programme. This structured approach helps children learn to read by teaching them sounds in a carefully designed order, blending these sounds to read words, and developing their confidence through engaging, fully‑decodable storybooks. Your child will take part in daily phonics sessions that are lively, fast‑paced, and tailored to their stage of reading development, ensuring they make steady and successful progress.

To help you understand how Read Write Inc. works in practice—and how you can support your child at home—we have included a set of helpful video links. These short clips explain the sounds children learn, how blending is taught, and simple ways you can practise reading together. We encourage all parents to watch the videos, as they offer practical tips that can make a real difference to your child’s early reading journey.

 

Understanding How Phonics Works for Parents

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_6Jb0-3qz8

This short video gives a simple, friendly explanation of how phonics helps children learn to read. It introduces the 44 sounds children need to know and shows how these sounds are blended together to build words, making early reading feel manageable and achievable for young learners. It’s an ideal starting point for parents who want to understand what phonics is and how it supports their child’s progress.
 

How to Say the Sounds

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yln6PpV1G1I

This video demonstrates how to pronounce each of the Set 1, 2 and 3 sounds the pure way, just as your child learns them in school. It’s an ideal clip for parents who want to support reading at home by modelling sounds accurately.

 

Reading the Stretchy Sounds with Your Child

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzAD1EPaYKY

In this video, you’ll learn about ‘stretchy sounds’ — sounds you hold and stretch when saying them aloud. It shows how teachers model these sounds and offers simple ways to practise them together at home.

 

Reading the Bouncy Sounds with Your Child

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYgBI5w-MCw

This clip focuses on ‘bouncy sounds’ — quick sounds that are said with a bounce. The video explains how these are taught in Read Write Inc. and shares easy activities you can use to help your child become more confident with them.

 

Reading the Digraphs with Your Child

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ3pGvw-HLE

Here you’ll find a helpful explanation of digraphs — sounds made up of two letters, known as ‘Special Friends’ in RWI (such as sh or ch). The video guides parents through how these are introduced in school and how to support children as they recognise and read them in words.

 

Sound‑Blending

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8vuje-wMQw

This video explains the vital early skill of blending sounds together to read words. It shows how children move from hearing individual sounds to reading whole words, and includes practical ideas you can use at home to build confidence.
 

Why Read to Your Child

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UmwXQwx5gk

In this short video, parents can learn why sharing stories daily is one of the most powerful ways to support a child’s wellbeing and language development. It highlights the long‑term benefits of regular reading and encourages families to build positive reading routines.

Supporting Your Child with Read Write Inc. at Home

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

This video outlines the simple ways you can help reinforce phonics learning outside school. It explains how the Read Write Inc. Speed Sounds Books can be used at home to practise reading and writing the sounds your child is learning in class.