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Finally some people realize that ‘synthetic phonics’, taught to or should I say torturing 400,000 dyslexic children, has not only very little to no effect, but actually hampers their ability to learn to read.
“Neither children who are fluent readers, nor those at risk of Special Learning Difficulties/dyslexia or other reading disabilities are likely to find a ‘one size fits all’ intensive synthetic phonics programme helpful. Furthermore, the Government’s punitive testing regime risks undermining both teachers and learners.” – a study in the UK found.
As the article says, this phonic approach, which includes the sounding out of nonsense words, may be the best way for non-dyslexic children to learn to read, but in my experience it is working against the visual talent of children with reading difficulties. It is confusing, disorienting, makes them feel nauceous and stupid. They lose confidence and trust in their own abilities. There are far better ways to teach them to read, write and spell, where ‘sounding out’ is not necessary.