different letters, i.e. Kate, Cameron and Chris all start with /k/ but Kate has a K, Cameron has a C, and Chris has a Ch to write their /k/ sound. We can show them that the same letter can sound different. What does Amy’s A sound like? /ā/ for Amy. What does Andrew’s A sound like? /a/ for Andrew. What does Anaru’s A sound like? /u/ for Anaru. When they are ready, children can learn to write the letters in their names, learning to form one letter at a time until it is mastered, before learning the next one. They need to be taught to use correct letter formation and to use a capital letter for the first letter and lowercase letters for the rest. When children start school with good oral communication skills, able to hear sounds and sound patterns in words, and able to recognise letters and know that they represent the sounds that make up words, they will be set up for success as they learn to read and write. After seeing how successful Joy Allcock's literacy programme is in Queen Margaret Junior School, the Preschool teaching team decided to trial implementation of Key About the Author Joy is a researcher, author and PD facilitator in the field of literacy. Originally trained as an occupational therapist, she spent several years working with children in medical and psychiatric settings before becoming mum to four young sons. Playcentre involvement and working as a primary school teacher aide helped her learn about early education, particularly reading, writing and spelling. Joy completed her Master of Education degree in 2000 and has since developed and researched an approach to teaching literacy that accelerates success for children from preschool to secondary. Email publications@ecc.org.nz and tell us briefly what you’re currently doing in your centre to support children’s literacy learning, and you’ll go in the draw to win a Key Foundations resourcepack! Foundations with our 3- and 4-year-olds: “After only one month of introducing the programme, we were able to observe evidence of children’s literacy learning during their play, particularly their phonics knowledge and ability to break words into syllables by ‘clapping’. Having specific programme resources for parents to take home has been a huge benefit for our children. Parents feel confident reinforcing literacy learning at home using the strategies that are consistent with what we use in the preschool and are also lots of fun.” Key Foundations (for educators) and Key Foundations At Home (for families) help young children develop the core skills needed before learning to read and write. ✅ Easy-to-use activities ✅ Build oral language, sound awareness & letter knowledge Perfect for ECE teachers, new entrant classrooms & home learning Build the Foundations for Literacy! DON’T MISS THE Code Ed Webinar Series — practical sessions for ECE and New Entrant educators, parents and families, to support building the foundations for literacy. Learn more at info@code-ed.co.nz July 2025 { 26 }
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