Former Doncaster teacher puts together online classes to help children learn how to read and write during lockdown

Frog Phonics, which is run by Jayne Clayton an ex-teacher from Sprotbrough, is a multi-sensory approach to learning letter sounds.

Jayne has 18 years of teaching experience but left the profession to follow her dream of owning her own business five years ago.

She said: “I have met so many kind, nice and interesting people doing this job.

“During the lockdown people have reached out to tell me they think I’m doing a fab job.

“I like to think that I’m keeping people going and that this is my contribution to society during this time.”

After learning that she could no longer teach her classes in person due to social distancing guidelines Jayne decided to take things online and has been uploading three live classes a week.

With additional storytimes and creative ideas for parents to take away to try outside of class.

The classes are aimed at children two and above and follow the Jolly Phonics Program.

“I use puppets to engage children and there is a lot of singing and dancing,” she continued.

“The aim is to prepare them for school when they’re ready to take that step.”

Jayne is also teaching children how to write and use scissors.

As many parents are struggling right now to keep their children engaged in their learning, Jayne has this advice.

She said: “Parents think that they need to be doing formal teaching with children but that’s not true.

“Play is the key, it needs to be fun for them.

“I know how hard it can be.

“I have two boys who I’m homeschooling as well as working.”

Jayne says that you don’t need to break the bank to achieve this.

She is encouraging parents to use cheap whiteboards and tools such as coloured rice.

If you’re interested in joining Frog Phonics you can contact Jayne through her Facebook page here.

It’s £10 to join and there are six weeks of classes available to watch.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

Nancy Fielder, editor