Phonics screening check - information for parents
The phonics screening check has 40 words. 40 real word and 40 nonsense words it will happen during the week of the 10th June 2024
These are words that are phonically decodable but are not actual words with an associated meaning e.g. brip, snorb. Pseudo words are included in the check specifically to assess whether your child can decode a word using phonics skills and not their memory.
It is important that children practise reading nonsense words and identify that they are a nonsense word. The pseudo words will be shown to your child with a picture of a monster and they will be asked to tell their teacher what sort of monster it is by reading the word. This not only makes the check a bit more fun, but provides the children with a context for the nonsense word which is independent from any existing vocabulary they may have. Crucially, it does not provide any clues, so your child just has to be able to decode it. Children generally find nonsense amusing so they will probably enjoy reading these words.
We have prepared some parent information leaflets to explain further about this check and will hand them out at our upcoming parent meetings. As always if you have any questions please contact a member of the team.