What is Fred talk?

Fred frog is only able Fred talk for example he would say “r-e-d” or “Sh-ee-p”. Fred talk is saying words using sounds only, in phonics sessions children are asked to repeat the sounds in Fred talk and then say the word, for example Fred says “p-i-nk” children reply “p-i-nk…pink”. Fred is an excellent way to support children’s blending skills, an essential reading skill!

How to help your child at home with Fred talk

• Speak to your child as Fred does, segmenting sounds in words.
• When reading with your child if they are struggling on a green (decodable) word remind them to “Fred talk”, sounding out each phoneme. Repeat sounds back if needed, to allow them to blend the word together.
• Play Fred games!

Other useful phrases

When we teach spelling we say “Hold up three Fred fingers” and “Pinch the sound” so that children identify that there are three phonemes in the word they are spelling and by pinching they can Fred talk and put those sounds in order.

If your child is struggling to spell at home remind them to use “Fred fingers” to help.

Fred talk games

Some examples of games you can play at home!

Using toys to play I spy – Challenge your child to find toys by using Fred talk, for example “H-or-se” “P-i-g”.

Play Fred says (instead of Simon says!) – Can you touch your “H-ea-d”, “Kn-ee”, “Ch-i-n”.

Drawing challenges – can you draw a c-a-t? f-r-o-g?