About the Wigglephonics Programmes

Essentially Wigglephonics is a fun, energetic and playful dance class in which your child can start learning or reinforce phonics for reading and writing and be free to express their creativity. The classes are great for boys and girls alike. Girls tend to enjoy the creative element whereas boys love being noisy and energetic. The great thing is they learn without realising they are being taught!

At Wigglephonics we use the tried and tested Physibets phonic dance programmes. The programmes have been devised and delivered by Michelle Tinkley in schools since 2008.

Our programme structure and content has been devised to correlate with the Department for Education's Letters and Sounds guidance, this is a progressive six phase government guide used by schools to ensure high quality phonic teaching.

Wobble toddle (New 2011): Michelle has used her experience of teaching Baby ballet to 2 - 4 year olds to develop this programme. It correlates with Phase 1 of the Letters and Sounds guidance. It also links with; personal, social and emotion development physical development, creative development and communication, language and literacy in the current Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

a-b-c-dabra first steps & a-b-c-dabra correlate with Letter and Sounds guidance phase 1, 2 and 3. We pay particular attention to communication, language and literacy, physical development and creative development from the current EYFS.

Superphonic has strong content links with Phase 3 & 5 of the Letters and Sounds guidance. It also correlates with the Key Stage One national curriculum, particularly the English and PE -dance breadth of study.

Click here to read more about how Wigglephonics links to the EYFS.

 

 

About the Teachers

Hello, I'm Michelle Tinkley.

I'm your teacher in Swindon and creator of the Physibets programmes we use in the Wigglephonics classes.

My husband Jonathan and I run Physibets Limited and are really excited to offer this fun and educational opportunity to toddlers & pre-schoolers before entry into the formal education system.

Since 2008 I have been teaching the Physibets programmes in schools and I also train teachers in schools to use the programmes to supplement their phonic teaching and PE/dance classes.

Personally, I love working with children and can't wait to be a Mum myself one day. I am so passionate about children being able to be children; they all grow up too fast.

Professional credentials for Michelle:

  • My profession is Classical Ballet teaching.
  • I trained at the Royal Academy of Dance in Battersea, London.
  • I have a degree in The Art & Teaching of Ballet from Durham University.
  • I have been a freelance ballet and dance teacher for 8 years.
  • I have taught in the community, private ballet schools and on national dance training programmes.
  • I also run a small Ballet school Tinkley Toes School of Ballet just outside Swindon.
  • I am a Licentiate, Associate and Registered Teacher of the Royal Academy of Dance.
  • I have worked as a play worker in a pre-school.
  • Paediatric First Aid trained
  • Enhanced CRB check
  • Public Liability Insurance.
  • I am employed by the Royal Ballet School, Dance Partnership and Access Programme.