Discover playful literacy and phonics tips, expert advice, and creative learning ideas.
Thoughtfully written for families, carers and educators.

Delivering Early Years training in Kenya provided an opportunity to reflect on the foundations that support children's learning wherever they are in the world. In this blog, I share six universal learning foundations that continue to shape my work with children, families and educators.

Autumn gives children gentle sensory moments that strengthen early reading and writing foundations. Through tracing, tapping, colouring and hands‑on play, children build hand strength, sound awareness and confidence. When these early skills grow steadily, literacy feels lighter and more achievable, especially for children who need a little more support.

A calm, parent‑friendly guide to how digraphs and trigraphs are taught in Reception, why they matter for early reading, and how this month’s six new sounds help children feel more confident when reading at home.

The quiet, playful beginnings of reading start long before letters, in the small moments when children tune into sounds and language.