ABSTRACT
Research and experience have shown that with the majority of children some phonic work is necessary and beneficial. Using a graded word reading test as a guide to reading progress many teachers will have noticed that when they use a whole-word method reading ages generally improve steadily until a reading age of about 7 years is reached. As a general rule, in the early stages of phonic learning a child should be able to blend sounds orally before they are presented to him visually. Experienced teachers will be aware of the difficulties which backward children display in blending. Such children are often confused because letters have names and also represent sounds. As a general rule, in the early stages of phonic learning a child should be able to blend sounds orally before they are presented to him visually. Experienced teachers will be aware of the difficulties which backward children display in blending.
