Phonics vs. Whole Language

I learned language through whole language. I remember reading short picture books that included site words. There was also always a word wall on the wall of my classroom. Though I grew up during the age of "Hooked on Phonics" I never remember learning language through phonics. However, I believe that schools today are starting to focus a bit more on balanced literacy. At the daycare that I work at implement a program called "Zoo Phonics." Zoo Phonics teaches children the sounds of letters using zoo animals. Along with phonics, all the classrooms have labels placed around the room indicating various toys and center locations. I understand that a daycare is not the same as what is implemented in the public schools systems but they are still building foundations for learning language through phonics and whole language.

I believe that my past learning experiences have impacted me both as a student learner and as a future teacher. As a student learner I have always struggled with the sounds of long and short vowels. I feel this is something that I might be more confident in if I had a stronger background in phonics. Also, based from my experience I see how both whole language and phonics play an important role in the learning of language. Since I can now see this, I believe that I will make a greater effort to have a balanced literacy program in my future classroom.