Further Reading on Synthetic Phonics

The evidence for a systematic synthetic phonic approach is already vast and is still growing.  Furthermore, the draft Australian National Curriculum stipulates: phonics should be taught from kindergarten through to year two and that the sequence works through from the simple to the complex - which is just what synthetic phonics does! 

Reports Assessing Synthetic Phonics:

• The National Enquiry into the Teaching of Early Reading in Australia found “direct systematic instruction in phonics during the early years of schooling is an essential foundation for teaching children to read”.
   
• The Clackmannanshire Study in Scotland found that children taught using synthetic phonics were still ahead of their peers in reading and spelling some seven years later.
   
• The Rose Review is a UK government report assessing early childhood reading methods. It concluded that all  schools in England and Wales should teach using synthetic phonics.
   
• The National Reading Panel, in the US concluded: “systematic phonics instruction produces significant benefits for students in kindergarten through 6th grade and for children having difficulty learning to read”
   
• Dunbartonshire, Scotland – how an entire county made zero reading failure a reality for all children. Read the theory turned into action. A very inspiring read.

For a much weightier read on children’s reading and synthetic phonics we would recommend:

• Reading Reflex, Carmen McGuiness & Geoffrey McGuniness, (1998), Simon & Schuster.
   
• Why Our Children Can’t Read, Diane McGuiness, (1997), Simon & Schuster.
   
• Beginning to Read: thinking and learning about print (1990), Marilyn Jager Adams.
   
• Children of the code.org - great website with interviews from reading experts.