Reading

How Reading Aloud Benefits Dyslexics: Unlocking Story Magic

Dyslexia is a learning disorder that can make reading difficult for individuals. It can be challenging for dyslexics to engage with the written word, which can impact their ability to keep up in school, work, and personal life.

While there are various techniques that people with dyslexia use to make reading easier, including text-to-speech software and dyslexia-friendly font, reading aloud is often found to be the most effective. It’s an excellent exercise that can help improve reading comprehension, pronunciation, and confidence.

In this blog post, we’ll look at how reading aloud helps dyslexics, and how an app like Fonetti can make reading more accessible and engaging for them.

Reading Aloud Helps with Phonics
Phonics is a method of teaching reading that focuses on the relationship between sounds, letters, and how they work together to form words. It helps dyslexics to understand that words are made up of smaller sounds and how these sounds can be blended together to create words. When dyslexics read aloud, they are not only seeing the words they are pronouncing them which helps them to learn the sounds

Reading Aloud Improves Comprehension
For people with dyslexia, reading silently can be a struggle as they may find it challenging to keep their attention on the text, which can cause them to miss crucial details. Reading aloud can help to improve their comprehension of what they are reading by increasing their engagement with the text. It helps them to process the information more slowly and makes it easier to visualise the words on the page.

Reading Aloud Helps with Pronunciation
One of the most significant challenges for dyslexic people can be mispronouncing words. Reading aloud can help them to see which letters make which sounds, and how this relates to the words they are reading. By hearing the words, they are learning how to pronounce them correctly, which can help improve their confidence when reading.

Fonetti: The Read Aloud App
Fonetti is an app that can help dyslexic people to engage with reading better and the National Read Aloud Challenge, powered by Fonetti will keep them entertained during the summer holidays. With Fonetti, your child can read aloud while the app listens, corrects, and encourages when they don’t get it right. It provides regular feedback, guiding the reader through the text and highlighting areas that they need to work on. Fonetti’s speech recognition software ensures the reader always gets accurate feedback, and its interactive features make reading more engaging and fun.

The Importance of Regular Reading
Reading regularly is crucial for all children, but for dyslexics, it can be even more beneficial. They need plenty of opportunities to practise their reading skills, and reading aloud can be an excellent way to help them improve their accuracy, comprehension, and pronunciation. Fonetti can make this process more enjoyable and engaging by providing a fun and interactive approach that keeps them motivated.

In Summary…
Dyslexia can be challenging, but reading aloud can make a significant difference. It is a highly effective way for dyslexics to improve their accuracy, comprehension, and pronunciation. Fonetti is an app that can help provide dyslexics with the support they need to become confident readers. With its interactive features and speech recognition software, Fonetti is an excellent tool for engaging children in reading and the National Read Aloud Challenge will keep them entertained during the holidays. By making regular reading a priority, dyslexics can unlock the magic of stories and improve their reading skills.

Posted in SEND, EdTech, Reading

The Importance of Reading Aloud and How it Helps with Oracy and Fluency

As a parent or an educator, you know how crucial it is to improve your child’s reading skills. Reading is the foundation of a child’s learning and can make a significant difference in their academic and personal success. However, not all children find reading easy, and it can be challenging to encourage a love of reading in some children. That’s where Fonetti comes into play. Fonetti is a new digital reading app that helps improve a child’s performance by providing an interactive experience. In this blog post, I will outline the importance of reading aloud on Fonetti and how it works.

Regular reading aloud helps improve oracy and fluency

Reading aloud on Fonetti
Fonetti works by encouraging children to read aloud. When the child reads a word correctly, the word turns green, and when they make a mistake, it turns grey. This interactive experience motivates the child to continue reading and helps them to recognise their mistakes. In fact, research shows that children who read aloud improve their reading skills faster than children who do not. Fonetti takes this to the next level and provides visual feedback to make the learning experience even more engaging.

Reading aloud can be intimidating for some children, especially those who struggle with reading. However, Fonetti enables the child to use the power of their own voice. This helps to boost their confidence and encourages them to keep reading. It also helps children to develop fluency and increase their understanding of what they are reading. The visual feedback reinforces these benefits and creates a more dynamic and interactive learning environment.

Fonetti works a lot like subtitles do. The words appear on the screen as the child reads them, with a subtle change in colour to indicate the child’s accuracy. This movement helps to keep the child engaged and enables them to follow along without feeling overwhelmed. Like subtitles, the words move on, and the child is unaware of the progress they are making. This form of learning is particularly effective because the child is actively engaged, and it doesn’t feel like learning.

We are huge supporters of the Turn on the Subtitles movement initiated by co-founders Oli Barrett MBE and Henry Warren whose mission is simple.

“Turning on the subtitles while children are watching television can double the chances of a child becoming good at reading. It’s so brilliantly simple and can help children’s literacy so much that we want to shout it from the rooftops!”

Fonetti’s interactive experience can also be beneficial for parents and educators. It provides an easy way to identify areas where the child is struggling and allows for individualised learning to ensure every child’s unique need is met. It also enables parents and educators to track the child’s progress and monitor their performance. This information can be invaluable when it comes to identifying the child’s strengths and weaknesses and developing a plan to enhance their reading skills.

In Summary…
Fonetti provides an interactive learning experience that can significantly improve a child’s reading skills. Reading aloud is crucial for children’s development, and Fonetti provides a fun and engaging way to do this. The visual feedback reinforces the child’s performance and motivates them to continue reading, boosting their confidence and understanding. Fonetti is an excellent tool for parents and educators who want to help their child improve their reading skills. It is an innovative way to encourage a love of reading and sets the foundation for success in school and beyond.

Posted in Reading, Literacy

Cat Roberts-Young on Inspiring Children to Read This Summer

The summer holidays have started and our National Read Aloud Challenge is in full swing. Children aged 5-15 can take part and choose any stories they like to read on Fonetti from fiction to facts. There are several milestones they can hit across different challenge periods. When they’ve achieved them, they’ll receive a personalised signed certificate from our brand ambassador Clare Balding CBE. And they’ll also receive recognition from their school for taking part too. 

One of our most popular books on Fonetti is The Ball Pit Monster. It’s had hundreds of views and has remained in the top 10 since the beginning of the challenge. So, I reached out to its author Cat Roberts-Young to see what it means to her to be a part of the challenge this summer and what role she feels technology plays in helping reluctant readers. Here’s what she has to say:

“Thanks for inviting me to comment Kim! There’s no greater feeling as a writer than knowing your stories are being chosen – and enjoyed. But knowing they’re helping kids to read independently tops it all. Fonetti can hear first-hand how every word is pronounced, what stumbling blocks a sentence may have and more importantly, the joy in a child’s voice when they’ve cracked something they found difficult. How brilliant is that? Reading regression isn’t new. Covid played its part and every school holiday since, with the change of routine and flashbacks to home-schooling – give both parents and children a challenge.

Travel without a ticket
A book can transport a child to another world without them needing to leave their house. Reading gives them a passport to so many worlds. Regardless of budget or the size of their friendship group. Just opening a book and diving in independently can make a child’s confidence soar – as well as enrich their imaginations. This is why I’m proud to write for Fonetti. For many children school holidays can feel incredibly lonely. Those living in remote locations may not be able to see their friends easily, maybe their parents are working fulltime, and they spend hours at the workplace with them. But being able to read gives them access to friends, facts and fantasy all in one place. And Fonetti opens the door to that world. Wherever they are. A whole library waiting for them the minute they can access Wi-Fi.

When I wrote The Ball Pit Monster, I hoped it would make kids laugh. And that the rhyme would help them guess any words they found tricky. Hearing that so many are choosing to read it as part of the challenge – and reading it so fluently – has honestly made my summer. It’s on a par with when Kaye Adams chose to read it for the 12 Stories of Christmas. Writing is a solitary thing. It’s just a person putting ideas down on a blank piece of paper. And writers are usually their worst critics (I am mine!). So, you never know if your stories will be popular or not. You just hope. And seeing so many reading one of mine on Fonetti is beyond my expectations. But the number of children taking part in the challenge blows me away. Reading is such a gift. If The Ball Pit Monster can help just one child enjoy reading for pleasure, I’m happy. Good luck to everyone taking part in the challenge this summer – enjoy it and you’ll smash it!”

Have you signed up?
If your little readers haven’t signed up yet they can get started today (hyperlink to National Read Aloud Challenge) for free. Safe screen time for the whole of the summer that boosts their literacy, comprehension and language skills. Whether they’re reading as a native speaker or with English as a second language, they’ll be spoilt for choice with a huge variety of stories in our virtual library. Whatever adventures you’ve got planned this summer – don’t forget to take Fonetti with you.

Posted in Authors, Appearances, News, Reading

The Benefits of Gamification

Gamification is about involving game elements in non-game contexts. There has been a lot of research about how gamification can be beneficial in education in order to help motivate and engage children in their learning. 

By making education more interactive and fun, the educational outcomes can be far better. Gamification encourages children to think about their own learning process and discover how to progress at their own pace. It also helps to develop problem-solving skills, creativity and collaboration among students. Rewards in the form of points or leaderboards can motivate children to push themselves further in their learning to ensure they hit the next milestone in the game. 

Gamification in the National Read Aloud Challenge
At the National Read Aloud Challenge, we know it can be near impossible to encourage children to read over the summer break. Understandably, they just want to spend their time having fun and enjoying the sunshine. In order to combat this, we have made reading fun and engaging through using gamification. Your children won’t want to stop!

From hitting various milestones and gaining certificates to appearing on a national leaderboard, the National Read Aloud Challenge has carefully curated different ways to make reading exciting and competitive but also meaningful and constructive, even for those reluctant readers.

Children can compete against other children their own age, children in their regional area and other children in their school. Schools within a multi-academy trust can also compete against each other!

We don’t do things by half!
The National Read Aloud Challenge not only incorporates gamification into the challenge but children can actually win some prizes, including vouchers and signed books. Not only that, schools also have the chance to win a FREE trip to London for an awards ceremony hosted by our brand ambassador Clare Balding, MBE! 

Enrol your school now and let the games begin!

www.readaloudchallenge.co.uk
#BeProudReadAloud

Posted in Insights, Reading, Team Fonetti

Be Proud Read Aloud!

Reading aloud is a powerful tool for children of all ages to improve their literacy skills. Not only does it help them learn new words and concepts, but it also supports children with language development, encourages critical thinking and stimulates creativity. 

Benefits for All
Reading Rockets explains that, ‘Reading aloud is the foundation for literacy development.’ The act of reading aloud can be especially beneficial for young children who are just learning to read. It helps them build a strong foundation in language by introducing them to new words, sentence structure, and other important elements of writing. Reading aloud also allows kids to practise their pronunciation and learn proper pacing when speaking or telling stories. Additionally, it provides an opportunity for them to practise their memory and recall skills, as well as cultivate a love of books and stories.

For older children who are already capable readers, reading aloud provides an opportunity for them to further develop their language and comprehension skills. It allows them to practise fluency in both speaking and reading, which can help strengthen overall literacy skills. Additionally, it encourages critical thinking and enhances understanding of concepts as they must actively pay attention to the story, analyse information, and form opinions.

Lifelong Readers
Reading aloud is an invaluable tool for children of any age to improve their literacy skills and become lifelong readers. Consistent, quality interactions with books can make all the difference in a child’s life and set them up for success! From early language development through to critical thinking and comprehension skills, reading aloud is an important skill to help children become lifelong learners. As such, it’s important for parents/caregivers to make reading aloud a regular part of their child’s daily routine.

The National Read Aloud Challenge
The National Read Aloud Challenge is on a mission to encourage more children to read aloud confidently and independently over the summer break and aims to reduce reading regression that inevitably occurs during the holidays. Reading aloud is a vital skill all children benefit from however it is something that makes a lot of children (and adults!) feel anxious. 

We are determined to help children enjoy reading aloud and realise what a joy it is to use their voice to tell a story. 

The National Read Aloud Challenge uses  Fonetti, the Read Aloud App, to succeed in this mission. Fonetti allows children to read aloud independently with no adults needed at all. Children can make errors without feeling as if they are being judged by their peers or adults and receive instant, constructive feedback making them progress with their reading. Fonetti feels like a friend and children feel supported by the app.

Sign up now and be proud to read aloud!

https://www.readaloudchallenge.co.uk/

Posted in National Read Aloud Challenge, Reading

Fluency in all its Glory!

Fluency in reading is an important skill for success in school and in life. Fluency is the ability to read accurately, quickly, and with expression. It helps students comprehend what they are reading more effectively and enables them to spend less time decoding words and more time understanding the content. When students can read fluently, it encourages them to become engaged readers who explore different genres and topics.

Break it Down
The EEF explains how the development of fluency in reading can be broken down into three distinct skills: accuracy, automaticity and prosody. 

  • Accuracy refers to the ability to recognise words quickly and accurately; this is achieved by developing basic phonemic awareness and decoding skills. 
  • Automaticity is reading words automatically. It enables appropriate reading speed and should feel effortless. Automaticity requires accuracy.
  • Prosody is the ability to read text with intonation and emotion; this is accomplished by having children vary their voices as they read aloud using different volume, smoothness and pace. Prosody requires accuracy and automaticity. 

These three skills are essential for building fluency in reading and helping students become more confident and proficient readers. Fluency supports comprehension and as the EEF states, ‘fluency is sometimes described as a bridge from word recognition to comprehension.’ By providing students with meaningful reading experiences, they can be encouraged to practise their fluency skills and become avid readers. With dedication and practice, fluency in reading can help students grow and succeed.

Read to Succeed 
In order to ensure students are reaching their full potential in reading fluency, teachers and parents should provide ample opportunities for children to practise and develop these skills. Activities such as interactive read aloud sessions and timed readings can help build accuracy and speed. 
The DFE states in The Reading Framework 2022 that ‘reading engagement is not possible if children struggle with the basic mechanics of reading. Fluency and enjoyment are the result of careful teaching and practice.’

Fabulously Fluent with Fonetti
Fonetti has partnered with the National Read Aloud Challenge to ensure children have the chance to develop their reading fluency over the summer break. It is such a crucial skill that needs to be practised in order to be a successful reader. 

Children will have access to hundreds of books on the Fonetti in app library for free to practise their fluency over the holidays. They will receive instant, constructive feedback so they are making progress all while having fun.

Enrol your school now!

https://www.readaloudchallenge.co.uk

Posted in Insights, National Read Aloud Challenge, Reading

How To Prevent The Summer Slide And Keep Children Reading

Summer reading regression, otherwise known as the ‘summer slide’, is described by Twinkl as, ‘The trend of students “sliding backward” in their reading abilities during the summer months.’ It is something that educators and parents show concern about year on year. 

Summer Reading Regression
The summer holidays are in no doubt a time for children to relax and spend time with family and friends, but it is also a time where education is often pushed to one side. Like many things in life, reading is a skill that needs to be continuously practised in order to maintain the standard to which it once was, and short bursts of reading regularly is what is recommended to keep kids on track. 

The summer reading regression occurs when children do very little reading or no reading at all over the summer holidays. Children who don’t read over the summer lose about 20% of the reading gains from the previous academic year and, according to scholastic, ‘it takes on average 4-6 weeks for students to catch up on lost progress’. Lower income families experience the ‘summer slide’ at a greater amount due to lack of resources which widens the literacy gap further.

Put the Brakes On
We need to put the brakes on the ‘summer slide’ and make sure children don’t slip backwards, no matter their background. Working together with families is crucial to ensure that they feel supported. Parents need to be made aware of the summer slide but also given solutions to help them prevent it. If we know families don’t have the relevant resources at home, we need to provide them with what is necessary in order for them to succeed. 

Aswell as engaging the parents and educating them on the ‘summer slide’, we also need to make children excited about reading over the holidays. Considering the children are on their summer break, we need to think creatively to make reading engaging and fun. 

Below are three tips to get children excited about reading over the summer:

  1. Let children choose their own books. It is important that children feel they have ownership over the decision of the book they are reading and that they have the chance to choose one that they are interested in. If the book seems slightly too easy/hard, don’t worry! We just want children to enjoy what they are reading over the summer – any reading is better than no reading
  2. Include some games. Children love games! By involving games in education, children forget that they are learning and are focused on getting to the next stage in the game. It is the perfect way to keep children engrossed in books. 
  3. Incorporate technology. These days, children appear to be more tech-savvy than adults and can’t get enough of using technology. Why not make screen time productive and get children reading on tablets? 

The National Read Aloud Challenge 
The National Read Aloud Challenge is the perfect way to encourage children to read over the summer. Not only is the challenge completely FREE and provides children access to hundreds of books, it also incorporates games and prizes to motivate the kids. All our books are available on tablets so children can spend their screen time on something educational. 

Our aim is to reduce summer reading regression by making children love reading! We don’t want reading to be a chore, we want children to enjoy picking up books and experiencing the joy of being engrossed in a story. 

Put the brakes on the summer slide and enrol your school in the challenge! 

https://www.readaloudchallenge.co.uk

Posted in National Read Aloud Challenge, Insights, Reading

5 Top Tips for Kicking off the National Read Aloud Challenge Successfully!

The National Read Aloud Challenge aims to reduce reading regression over the summer as well as enhancing a love for reading. We want all children to return to school in September as confident, excited readers. 

Follow these five tips to ensure your school is set up successfully to make the most of the challenge!

1.School Community
Encourage children, parents and teachers at your school to be on board with the challenge. If you secure the support from the whole school community, they will naturally work together to keep the reading momentum going. 

  • Talk to children about the challenge in assemblies and during classroom time.
  • Remind your staff about the challenge during staff meetings and in the staff room.
  • Keep the parents involved by posting about the challenge on social media and sending out the letters we have provided.

2.Materials and Resources
Use the National Read Aloud Challenge resources available on your school’s personalised webpage. We have created these so that your workload is kept to an absolute minimum. You are provided with an assembly presentation, parent letters, posters & flyers, a staff information presentation and so much more! Make the most of the resources to promote the challenge!

3.Dive into the App
Explore the app so you are familiar with it. You will feel more confident when talking about the challenge if you have taken the time to get to know the app the children will be using. You might also want to have book discussions with children and recommend some books that you have seen on the in app library. The more book talk, the better!

4.Praise, Praise, Praise
Praising children who have signed up to the app is a great way to encourage other children to get involved. Celebrate the class who has the most children participating, congratulate children in assembly for signing up and thank parents for getting their children involved. Everyone loves a bit of praise (even the parents)!

5.Check in
Not all children will have access to a tablet at home. Check in with those children and give them the opportunity to take part in the challenge while they are still at school so they feel involved.

Remember, if you have any questions about the challenge, please use the ‘get in touch’ link and we will get back to you as soon as possible!

Enrol your school or register your child now!
www.readaloudchallenge.co.uk
#BeProudReadAloud

Posted in National Read Aloud Challenge, Insights, Reading

The National Read-Aloud Challenge goes live!

The National Read Aloud Challenge: Empowering Kids with Fonetti’s Award winning Voice Recognition Technology

At Fonetti, we believe that reading is an essential tool for learning and personal growth. That’s why we are thrilled to announce our support for the National Read Aloud Challenge, a groundbreaking initiative that encourages children across the UK to read aloud during their summer break. With Fonetti’s voice recognition technology and the challenge’s fun activities, we are confident that this program will help kids develop their reading skills while having a blast. In this blog post, we’ll explore the details of this program and its benefits for children and parents everywhere.

Discover what the National Read Aloud Challenge has to offer! A free summer programme for children across the UK, running through the months of June, July and August. The challenge: incorporating Fonetti, our innovative voice recognition technology, into your child’s reading routine

Reading aloud provides a plethora of benefits. Children can enhance their pronunciation, comprehension, and vocabulary, essential skills for personal and academic success. More than that, this engaging activity sparks a love for books and learning that lasts a lifetime. With the National Read Aloud Challenge, kids can start their school year with confidence, curiosity and verbal fluency.

Fonetti is thrilled to be a part of this initiative, proudly offering our technology for free to children. Our award-winning app uses cutting-edge voice recognition to guide and support early readers, allowing them to read independently whilst receiving valuable personalised feedback and encouragement.

By incorporating Fonetti into the National Read Aloud Challenge, we are taking a significant step towards realising our mission of enabling young learners to achieve their full potential.

In conclusion, the National Read Aloud Challenge is a fantastic opportunity for children to enjoy reading and improve their skills during the summer months. By using Fonetti’s voice recognition technology, kids can receive instant valuable feedback and support as they explore new books and stories. We encourage parents and teachers everywhere to participate in this program and share the joy of reading with the next generation. Let’s make this summer a time of learning, growth, and fun!

Posted in National Read Aloud Challenge, Insights, News, Reading

Fonetti’s Helping to Tackle Summer Reading Regression!

As children across the UK start their summer holidays, it is important for parents and carers to be aware that reading and learning regression can occur while pupils are out of school.

In simple terms, reading regression is when a student loses reading accuracy, fluency or comprehension skills due to not reading regularly during the school break. After so much disruption over previous years, it’s important that we all try to minimise the regressive impact of time away from school, so that as pupils return to school in September/October, they’re able to make progress.

Encouraging reading and literacy activities over the summer can help to prevent reading regression. This includes reading for fun or reading aloud with family members, as well as engaging in online reading resources such as books, articles and audiobooks. There are also games and puzzles that pupils can take part in to help with reading skills.

To do our part, we’ve launched the Summer UK Read Aloud Challenge, to encourage children to read aloud on their tablets, to  maintain the momentum of the previous term, and keep up their practice. There will be rewards for top readers to keep them motivated over the 5-6 weeks.

It’s just one of a number of preventative measures that teachers, parents and carers can put in place, to help their students succeed in reading over the summer holidays, which will then support them into the new school year.

For more information on reading regression prevention, teachers can visit the National Literacy Trust‘s website for advice and reading resources.

Posted in Reading, Insights