NSW K - 2 English and Mathematics Syllabuses

As mentioned in previous newsletters, all schools in NSW are implementing the reformed NSW English and Mathematics K - 2 syllabuses. These syllabuses highlight foundational literacy and numeracy skills. Please find below suggestions about what you can do as a parent or carer to support your child in Early Stage 1 and Stage 1 in the area of English.

Helping your Early Stage 1 child at home with English

Print Conventions

Print conventions focus on the knowledge of how books and written language work. This includes understanding how books are used, the reading direction and the difference between letters, words and sentences.

You can help your Kindergarten child at home by:

• pointing your finger under words when you are reading with your child
• making sure your child can see how your finger moves from the end of a line to the next line in a ‘return sweep’
• using different voices to show different characters are speaking when you see speech marks (‘ ’).

Phonic Knowledge

Phonic knowledge focuses on the letter symbol in the alphabet (grapheme) that is used to represent a spoken sound (phoneme) in a word. 

You can help your Kindergarten child at home by:

• stretching some simple words into sounds, such as d- o- g, while you are reading and writing together. Make sure you say the sound, not the letter name
• starting an alphabet book and choosing a new word to add after each book you read. For example, your child loves the word ‘pudding’ that they have found in a book. Discuss what sound the word starts with and then they can add the word pudding to the ‘pP’ page of the alphabet book
• playing ‘I spy with my little eye, something beginning with …’ Make sure you use the sound, not the letter.

Helping your Stage 1 child at home with English

Reading Fluency

Reading fluency focuses on developing a reading style that is smooth, which uses an expressive voice. Self-correction is used when meaning or reading flow is interrupted.

You can help your Year 1 or Year 2 child at home by:

• reading a range of literature for rich experiences and providing a wide exposure to words, language and text structures
• showing how to read in a steady manner
• continuing to listen to your child read familiar texts so they can practise an expressive voice with confidence
• practising and performing a short, scripted play with you, your child, and other family members as characters.

Reading Comprehension

Reading comprehension focuses on understanding the meaning of words and sentences within longer and more complex texts, while using background knowledge and personal experiences to increase comprehension. 

You can help your Year 1 and Year 2 child at home by:

• giving them opportunities to read to themselves for enjoyment
• encouraging them to ask you questions about the book if they are unsure about word meanings or the storyline
• remembering and talking about your family’s experiences about a topic in a book you are reading such as moving house, welcoming a new baby, gardening or looking after a pet
• asking them if their opinions may have changed about a character’s actions or personality as the book progresses. Was there a twist in the storyline that surprised them?
• enjoying discussing idioms found in books you read together. Idioms are sayings or expressions that are not to be taken as they are written but have a hidden meaning. Some examples include It was raining cats and dogs (it was raining heavily) and It was like finding a needle in a haystack (it was hard to find).

Mrs Lillian Del Giudice

Assistant Principal