There is a bit of a debate in early years education about whether children should use "phonics" (breaking words into recognisable sounds) or "look and say / whole words" (children initially remember the shape of whole words). Phonics has the lead at the moment in the first years of primary school and does seem to be particularly helpful for children who struggle with reading but received wisdom does seem to swing backwards and forwards on the issue and phonics seems to work less well with early readers at 2 or 3 and it is claimed slows down more able readers limiting their exposure to the richness of the language.
Like most of these debates the truth probably lies in the middle somewhere. Anyway the good news is that both approaches are just about agreed on the importance of familiarity with the "high frequency words". As with so many stages that under 5s go through it is best to wait for them to show interest before you start encouraging them to read. But once they do start pesting you with "what does this say?" "what does that say?", these can be handily printed and cut out. Would recommend the thickest paper your printer will take.
To be honest, I think most early readers are more interested in nouns that relate to their lives so I will add some more around family, shopping, farms, zoos, transport later on.
To view the flash cards click here
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