Why reading confidence matters in the Foundation Phase

We know that confident readers become confident learners. In Grades R to 3, the Foundation Phase of your child’s education, learners move through the critical stage of learning to read, preparing for the big leap to reading to learn in Grade 4. Strong reading skills don’t just boost academic performance. They foster curiosity, independence, and a lifelong love of learning. That’s why we prioritise early reading development as part of our CAPS-aligned online curriculum.

The five building blocks of early reading development

Our approach to reading instruction in the Foundation Phase is built on five essential pillars:

• Phonemic awareness: Recognising and playing with sounds in spoken words.

• Phonics: Understanding the connection between letters and the sounds they represent.

• Fluency: Reading pace and accuracy.

• Vocabulary: Learning and using new words to build a rich, active word bank.

• Comprehension: Understanding and retaining new information.

These core skills help young learners decode text, build meaning, and read with understanding, building a strong foundation for future learning.

Reading Eggs: Let’s get reading!

Did you know? All Foundation Phase learners at Teneo receive free access to Reading Eggs, an award-winning online reading programme for children. With interactive games, stories, and challenges, Reading Eggs helps learners build core skills in phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension skills while having fun!

2025 Readathon: Celebrating the joy of reading!

Teneo’s annual Readathon is a Foundation Phase highlight! This exciting literature-themed event is designed to spark imagination, inspire creativity, and deepen every learner’s love of stories. This year, our Readathon took place from 17 to 26 March 2025 and included:

• Daily reading challenges to encourage consistent practice.

• Group story sessions that bring books to life.

• Themed dress-up days and a book character parade.

• A variety of interactive class activities that explore storytelling in new and exciting ways.

Supporting your learner’s reading development at home

As a parent, you play a vital role in your child’s reading journey. Here’s how you can help build strong literacy skills from home:

• Make daily reading interactive: Ask questions, make predictions, or act out scenes together to enhance engagement and foster a deeper understanding.

• Offer variety: Let your child choose from a range of books, including fiction, poetry, fantasy, and non-fiction books.

• Encourage reading aloud: This builds fluency, pronunciation, and confidence.

• Re-read their favourites: Repetition strengthens vocabulary and comprehension.

• Keep it fun and relaxed: Learning to read should be a joyful experience!

Need some extra support?

For learners who need extra help with reading fluency or comprehension, tools like EyeBrainGym provide additional support outside of class. EyeBrainGym, offered by Lectio Solution, one of Teneo’s extramural partners, usilises visual brain training techniques to enhance reading skills and make reading an engaging and rewarding experience. Learners earn progress certificates, helping them stay motivated and build confidence.

Learn more about the EyeBrainGym programme here.

Teneo’s commitment to early reading success

From engaging classroom teaching to interactive tools like Reading Eggs and creative initiatives like the Readathon, Teneo is committed to helping your child become a confident, capable reader, ready to thrive in an online school in South Africa and beyond. Together, let’s build strong reading skills that last a lifetime.