We teach the children how to read lots of words using phonics. However, not all words follow the phonic rules we teach in the earliest stages of our phonics teaching.

For some high frequency words (words the children will come across a lot in their reading), we teach the children to memorise and read them without needing to sound out and blend. Some of these we call tricky words. We try to remember them as it can be too tricky to use phonics to read them at this stage. They are tricky 'for now'. Being able to read these words quickly helps to build their fluency and confidence as early readers.

In some classes, tricky words lists will be sent home for you to practice in your child's book bag or yellow reading record. You will also find them inside the front cover of some of our reading books to practice before you start to read.

This video tells you more.

Which are the tricky words and how do I pronounce them?

Lots of our parents often ask us how to pronounce tricky words. The ebooks can help you with this. Simply click on the word and the ebook will speak it for you to hear. 

Tricky words to practise are shown on the first page of the ebook.