Firm Foundations: A Home/School Programme for the Foundation Stage
By Fischer Education Project Ltd
May 19, 2009, 11:45

The Firm Foundations pack consists of 36 activities, divided into four levels and covering 9 strands:

• auditory memory
• sequencing pictures from nursery rhymes
• auditory discrimination
• positional language
• visual memory
• visual discrimination
• sequencing pictures of events
• retelling narratives
• phonological awareness

The activities relate closely to the six areas of learning and development of the EYFS, and to Letters and Sounds Phase 1. They are short, fun and really answer the problem many practitioners are currently facing when trying to find materials that they can share with families to support children's learning at home. Firm Foundations has been produced by an independent, non-profit organisation in response to concerns around the speaking and listening skills of children entering nursery settings, and to support parents who would like to work with their child's setting by supporting their child's learning at home. The activities are based on research findings which have identified the experiences that young children need in order to become successful readers.

Some lovely little activities that, in short bursts with supportive parents and carers, will help children to develop the necessary skills. If pieces go missing, you need not worry:the user guide and CD which is included in the purchase price of your first pack includes all the materials, so you can simply print out a copy of the missing pieces, laminate, and pop back in the pack. When your setting has purchased one pack, you are able to make unlimited copies of the games for your setting's use.

A complete set of materials, including a user's guide with CD costs £185 + VAT and is available from the Fischer Trust Project Ltd, on 01462 675851.

In addition, Firm Foundations Phonological Awareness (FFPA) is a set of games to be used either in a setting or at home. The activities help to develop phoneme awareness and link closely with Letters and Sounds Phase 1, Aspects 5, 6, and 7.

Firm Foundations Phonics is a set of 22 games which aim to consolidate phonic knowledge already acquired during phonics sessions. The games can be used to demonstrate to parents the current approaches your setting uses in the teaching of phonics. They are closely aligned to Letters and Sounds Phases 2 to 4.

For further details, contact Hilary Barnes at:

Fischer Education Project Ltd,

The Pixmore Centre,

Pixmore Avenue,

Letchworth Garden City,

Herts, SG6 1JG

Tel: 01462 675851