New phonics 'boosts skills'

A system of phonics devised in Northern Ireland has had 'dramatic' results in improving the reading skills of young children, according to a new study.  Linguistic phonics builds on children's existing language, developing phonological awareness before introducing children to  letters. Linguistic phonics was developed with advisory speech and language therapists for a revised curriculum to start in September 2008, which delays the formal teaching of reading and emphasises problem-solving and thinking skills. ...