Early Reading at Harper Bell - Our Little Wandle Approach
At Harper Bell, we believe that learning to read is the key that unlocks the whole curriculum. We follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme to ensure that all children become confident, fluent and enthusiastic readers as early as possible. Our approach is built around a clear reading cycle that develops decoding, prosody and comprehension, so children not only can read, but truly understand and enjoy what they read.
1. Decoding - Learning to Read the Words
Decoding is the foundation of early reading. Through daily, systematic phonics lessons, children learn to recognise sounds (phonemes) and match them to letters (graphemes). They are taught how to blend sounds to read words accurately and how to segment words for spelling. Using fully decodable books that are carefully matched to each child's phonics knowledge, pupils quickly build confidence and independence as readers.
2. Prosody - Reading with Fluency and Expression
Prosody is about how reading sounds. As children become more secure decoders, we place strong emphasis on reading with fluency, expression and appropriate pace. Through regular practice, modelling by adults and repeated reading of familiar texts, children learn to read aloud smoothly, using intonation and phrasing that brings meaning to the text. This helps reading to sound natural and supports deeper understanding.
3. Comprehension - Understanding What Is Read
Comprehension is the ultimate goal of reading. Alongside phonics, children are taught to talk about texts, answer questions, make predictions and explain their thinking. Adults support children to understand vocabulary, characters, events and themes, ensuring they can engage meaningfully with what they read. This work continues beyond phonics into guided reading, story time and across the wider curriculum.
A Love of Reading
Through the Little Wandle approach, we aim to develop not only skilled readers, but children who love reading. By combining accurate decoding, fluent prosody and strong comprehension, we prepare our pupils for success throughout school and beyond, giving them the confidence and skills they need to access the wider world.