Learning to read is one of the most important skills a child will ever develop, and phonics is the key that unlocks it. In Inverness, our phonics tutors support children from age 4 to 7 who need extra help with blending, segmenting, and recognising letter-sound correspondences. We use the same systematic approach as schools, reinforcing what's being taught in the classroom.
Phonics in Scotland
Scottish schools in Inverness use a variety of phonics approaches, including Jolly Phonics and Read Write Inc, alongside the Curriculum for Excellence literacy framework. Our tutors are familiar with the programmes used in local schools and align sessions with what your child is learning, so there's no confusion between home and school approaches.
Blending and Segmenting
Blending (pushing sounds together to read a word) and segmenting (breaking a word into its individual sounds to spell it) are the two core phonics skills. Children in Inverness who struggle with these need lots of practice with immediate feedback — exactly what a one-to-one session provides. Our tutors use magnetic letters, sound cards, and phonics games to make this practice engaging.
Supporting Learning at Home
Phonics practice at home makes a big difference, but many parents in Inverness aren't sure how to help effectively. Our tutors provide simple, practical suggestions for daily practice — reading together, playing sound games, using phonics apps — that reinforce what's being covered in sessions without turning home into a classroom.
Early reading difficulties in Inverness don't have to become long-term problems. The sooner a child gets the right support, the faster they catch up. Get in touch to arrange an initial assessment and find out how our phonics tutors can help your child.