Many moons ago, phonics was used to teach spelling and reading decoding skills in schools. Not comprehension – that is a different skill. Decoding is sound-letter (phoneme-grapheme, to be more accurate) knowledge. It precedes comprehension.

Then it went out of fashion. Dropped like a lead balloon. Boring, apparently. Not exciting enough. Goodness. Don’t get me started on that one.

The ‘whole language approach’ became the new black.

Australian literacy standards fell. Below those of even Kazakhstan, apparently.

Now, like a pair of culottes that seem to be all the rage this winter fashion season (I’m not fond of them, myself…just saying…), phonics is back with a vengeance!

Yay! Or, more accurately….Phew!

Our speech pathology and psychology clinic is located in Braddon, ACT, in Canberra’s CBD. Call us on 5117 4890 or email reception@inpositivehealth.com to get in touch.

In Positive Health, Canberra. Nel MacBean Speech Pathologist Canberra. Campbell MacBean Psychologist Canberra.