Phonics programme good: Principal

 JOLLY phonics is important in early childhood as it teaches children how to read and write proper English.

Lahara Birdwing School principal Helen Harricknen said jolly phonics was the way to go.

“Jolly phonics is important for young ones as it teaches them to read and write. They learn the (42) letter sounds of the English language instead of the alphabet,” she said.

“From these letter sounds they can then defragment or blend them into complete words with the aid of pictures.”

The schools established the jolly phonics concept from playschool up to Grade 8 while all other learning aspects are built around it.

Harricknen said jolly phonics was important in any curriculum because it focused on getting children to read at a young age.

“Once they’ve learnt to read and write, learning from then on would be remarkably easier. So I believe in providing a good foundation for the young ones, a foundation built around Christian values and principles,” she said. The school staged its talent show last Thursday with proceeds going to improving the school’s music capacity, in preparation for its first musical play to be staged next term.

The musical would be titled The Lion King and Thursday’s talent show served as an audition for casting positions.