Our approach to the curriculum in more detail Language and Literacy

Writing will often come before reading at The Pelican with children building up their first words phonetically using wooden letters. The reading programme progresses through three levels: pink, blue and green - reading materials are colour coded for each level. Inside a small pink box a child finds a tiny toy dog. She takes it out, says the word, listens to the sounds in it and then seeks out the letters which make those sounds to build the word. Writing skills are learned by colouring intricate shapes drawn with insets, and sandpaper letters are experienced by touch as well as by sight and sound. A wide range of story and reference picture books are always available in the classroom.