Primary School Prep DIY Guide-Reading-Page 8

Step 3-PHRASES

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How to introduce phrases

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• After couplets you then begin phrases.  

• Phrases should be no more than three-word sentences, made up mainly of words that they have already seen, but can include some new words where necessary.  

• The aim is to piece together the words they already know as part of a phrase. 

• For example: ‘he is walking’ or ‘Mommy is running’.     Notice that the beginning of each word is in lower case, except ‘Mommy’, which is a proper noun.

• When making the flash cards use the whole A4 paper turned on its side. 
   

When to introduce phrases

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• Do not start phrases until your baby is comfortably identifying the majority (does not have to be all) of words on a regular basis. They don’t have to speak the words but at least point to or pick up the right word when you give them options between three words. 

• Still periodically show your child the couplets and single words. 

• Read phrases to your child for six weeks to two months before moving to sentences. 

• These are just guidelines. If you find that your child starts to get bored and wants something that is more of a challenge, then move on to sentences earlier. 

• Don’t wait until your child can read the phrases before moving on to sentences. 

• It is okay to give your child the opportunity to show what they know. One way of doing this is by putting the paper with the phrase down and assuming that the word ’and’ is in the sentence, say to your child “Where is the word, ‘and’?” and see if he or she can point to it in the sentence. 

Example of Phrases