You report that an increasing proportion of young parents say children’s reading is “more a subject to learn than a fun thing to do” (Most parents don’t enjoy reading to their children, survey suggests, 30 April). This is hardly surprising, as the early reading strategy required by the Department for Education and Ofsted places an exclusive emphasis on learning phonics rules. Required reading schemes must focus on decoding words at the expense of context, a lively story or anything that looks a bit like fun.
Next month, in primary schools, five- and six-year-olds will undertake the statutory “phonics check”, which asks them to decode single words and nonsense words according to the rules they have been taught. Those who do not meet the standard must repeat the test next year. Intensive drills will be the order of the day. No, it is not “a fun thing to do”.
