Special friends are a combination of two or three letters representing one sound, e.g. ck, ay, igh, oa.

Fred the Frog helps children read and spell. He can say the sounds in words, but he can’t say the whole word, so children have to help him. To help children read, Fred (the teacher) says the sounds and then children say the word.

• Example: Fred says c-a-t, children say cat.

• At Home: Use Fred Talk throughout the day: "Put on your c-oa-t" or "Set the table with a f-or-k."

Once children can sound out a word, we teach them to say the sounds silently in their heads. We show them how to do this by whispering/mouthing the sounds and then saying the whole word straight away.

Children sit at a table to write. They hold a pencil in a tripod pencil grip with the non-writing hand flat, holding their paper.

• ‘Last and past’ Storybooks: The book they just read at school. Don't worry if it seems "too easy"—re-reading improves speed and confidence!

• Book Bag Books: Matched to the school Storybook for extra practice.

• Speed Sounds cards: To practice reading sounds speedily.

• Red Word book pages: Challenge them to read rows and columns speedily.

• Picture books to share: These are for you to read to them to build a love of stories.

• Use pure sounds, not letter names. Watch the "How to say the sounds" film on the Ruth Miskin website.

• Play Fred Games: Speak like Fred throughout the day (e.g., "Time for l-u-n-ch!").

• Practise Digraphs: Watch the "Reading the digraphs with your child" film on the parent portal.

Watch the ‘Set 2/3 tutoring’ film on the Ruth Miskin website and continue practicing Speed Sound cards speedily using the picture side for hints if needed.

Read to them! This is the most important thing you can do.

• Make it a treat: Cuddle up and make it quiet time.

• Don't test them: Avoid asking questions to check memory; instead, chat about the story ("I wonder why she did that?").

• Be enthusiastic: Use different voices and show you love the book too.

Your child’s book is "decodable," meaning they should know all the words.

• Celebrate success: Instead of saying "This is too easy," say "I love how well you can read this!"

• The Routine: Use "Special Friends, Fred Talk, read the word."

• Red Words: These are tricky (e.g., said, what). Remind them to "stop and think" rather than using Fred Talk.

• Repeat: Encourage reading in a "storyteller voice."

• Handwriting: Use the "Perfect Pencil Grip" and the handwriting phrases found on the RWI website. Challenge them to see how many sounds they can write in a minute.

• Spelling: Use Fred Fingers. Ask them to say the sounds as they press the sounds onto their fingers, then write the letters.

Be a "talk-a-lot" family! 

Use ambitious vocabulary (e.g., "miserable" instead of "sad") and speak in complete sentences during mealtimes or bath time.

You can find these on Amazon to support blending:

• Set 1/2/3 Flashcards.

• My Reading and Writing Kits (Ages 3-5 and 5-7).