🎙️ Does learning to read really begin with phonics?

Many parents worry about whether their child is "ready" to read, whether they're falling behind, or if they're doing enough at home. But what if the most important reading skills actually develop long before children learn their first letter sounds?

In this episode of RECAP The Podcast, I'm joined by Stephanie Hammond - Teaching & Learning Consultant, DfE Literacy Specialist and early literacy expert - to explore what children really need before formal reading begins.

From early language and storytelling to music, conversation and play, Stephanie explains why building strong foundations matters far more than rushing children into phonics.

Whether you're a parent, educator, early years practitioner or home educating family, this episode is packed with practical, evidence-informed advice and plenty of reassurance.

💡 In this episode, we discuss:

✨ Why early language is the foundation of reading success

✨ What "pre-phonics" really means (and why it matters)

✨ Simple everyday activities that build early literacy at home

✨ How music, stories and conversation support children's language development

✨ What a truly language-rich environment looks like

✨ Common misconceptions about phonics and learning to read

✨ Signs a child may benefit from extra language support

✨ Why children don't need to be rushed into reading

✨ Practical reassurance for parents worried their child is "behind"

❤️ Why this matters

Reading isn't something that begins when children open their first phonics book.

It begins through conversations, songs, stories, play, curiosity and connection.

Understanding these early foundations can help parents feel more confident, reduce unnecessary pressure and support children to become confident readers in their own time.

🎧 Listen now on:

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Follow Stephanie Hammond

Follow Stephanie Hammond

Website: https://www.hammondeducation.co.uk

⁠Schammond@hotmail.co.uk- email

Hammond Education - YouTube- YouTube channel

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-hammond-57bb6945/n

https://www.facebook.com/hammondeducaton/

https://www.instagram.com/hammondeducation/

💬 Join the conversation

What helped your child develop a love of reading?

Did anything in this episode surprise you?

Share your experiences and questions in the comments - we'd love to hear from you.

🔍 Keywords

early literacy, phonics, pre phonics, language development, how children learn to read, reading readiness, early years, speech and language, reading confidence, phonics explained, literacy development, child development, parenting podcast, education podcast UK, reading at home, language rich environment, early education, reception phonics, teaching reading, RECAP podcast

🔖 Hashtags

#EarlyLiteracy #Phonics #LanguageDevelopment #ReadingReadiness #ChildDevelopment #EducationPodcast #ParentingPodcast #EarlyYears #SpeechAndLanguage #RECAPThePodcast

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