Practise Tricky Words!
Tricky words need more than flashcards. Children are expected to memorise them by repeatedly looking at the word and hoping it sticks.
A more effective approach is to help children notice the parts that are tricky and the parts that are decodable.
For example:
- Identify the regular sounds first.
- Point out the part that doesn’t follow the phonics they already know.
- Read the word aloud together.
- Practise writing it.
- Revisit it regularly in books and sentences.
The goal isn’t simply to memorise words. The goal is for children to recognise them accurately and automatically when reading. Like any new learning, this takes explicit teaching, meaningful practice and plenty of repetition.
How do you practise tricky words at home?
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