Articles

Inspire a love of learning through phonics.

Whether you’re a teacher, family member, tutor, or childcare professional, you can have a positive impact on a child’s life. One of the most extraordinary gifts a child ever receives is the ability to read and write.

Although literacy doesn’t come naturally to humans, it’s an essential part of our everyday lives. Explicit, effective, and encouraging phonics instruction is vital to creating a more literate world.  Explore the trusted resources, articles, and reviews from phonics.org to instill a love of learning in someone you care about.

Phonics Resources for All

Discover how to choose and implement effective homeschool phonics programs with research-based strategies for success.

Homeschool Phonics: Choosing and Implementing Programs

You open the package with equal parts excitement and dread. Inside sits your investment...

Chicktionary features adorable chickens and engaging word puzzles, but does it teach reading? Our expert review reveals why this popular game isn't a phonics tool for young learners.

Chicktionary App Review

A Fun Word Game That Isn’t a Phonics Tool Looking for honest reviews of...

Letter reversals worry many parents. Learn when b/d confusion is normal development versus a sign requiring intervention, plus practical strategies to support your young reader.

Letter Reversals: Normal Development or Red Flag?

Your kindergartener writes “doy” instead of “boy.” Your first grader reads “was” as “saw.”...

Discover why children hit phonics plateaus and practical strategies to help them break through reading barriers and continue progressing toward literacy confidence.

Phonics Plateau: Why Some Students Stop Progressing

Your child was making steady progress. Each week brought new letter sounds, longer words,...

Word games seem educational, but can they actually teach reading? Learn when games help literacy development and why phonics instruction must come first for young readers.

Can Word Games Like Bookworm Support Literacy Development?

Your child loves playing Bookworm on your tablet. They’re making long words and racking...

Rocket Speller review: Expert analysis of this space-themed spelling app that makes phonics and spelling practice engaging for ages 3-7 through adaptive learning.

Rocket Speller – Space-Themed Spelling Adventure Game Review

A Well-Designed Spelling App That Balances Learning and Fun Are you curious about how...

Compare Reading Mastery and Saxon Phonics programs side-by-side. Review research evidence, instructional design, classroom implementation, and effectiveness data to inform your phonics curriculum decision.

Reading Mastery vs. Saxon Phonics: Which Delivers Better Results?

Imagine two classrooms down the hall from each other. Same grade level, similar student...

Opposite Ocean app review: Expert analysis of this educational antonym game that helps children learn opposite words through ocean-themed gameplay.

Opposite Ocean App – Vocabulary and Antonym Learning Review

A Targeted Vocabulary Tool for Elementary Antonym Practice Are you curious about how other...

Discover how speech delays impact phonics learning and what parents can do to support children when articulation challenges affect their reading development.

Phonics and Speech Delays: When Articulation Affects Decoding

When your child mispronounces words during conversation, you might think it’s adorable—and it often...

MaxScholar review: Expert analysis of this Orton-Gillingham based reading intervention program designed for struggling readers and students with dyslexia.

MaxScholar – Orton-Gillingham Based Phonics & Reading Comprehension Review

A Research-Backed Reading Intervention Program That Puts Struggling Readers First Are you curious about...

Reading.com App Review

Reading.com App Review

A Unique, Research-Based Approach to Teaching Children to Read At phonics.org, we evaluate phonics programs designed for children—empowering you to make informed decisions about the most suitable apps for your…

Systematic Phonics for Homeschoolers: Building Readers Step by Step

Systematic Phonics for Homeschoolers: Building Readers Step by Step

Your kindergartener knows the alphabet song by heart. She can identify most letters when you point to them. She’s even started recognizing her name in print. So why does she…

Teaching Phonics to Students with Down Syndrome

Teaching Phonics to Students with Down Syndrome

Imagine it: a child with Down syndrome proudly reading their favorite book aloud, pointing to each word with growing confidence. This isn’t just a hopeful dream. It’s an achievable reality.…

Gamification in Phonics: What Motivates Students?

Gamification in Phonics: What Motivates Students?

Your kindergartener rushes to the tablet each morning, eager to earn more badges in their phonics app. Two months later, they barely glance at it. What happened? This scenario plays…

Morphophonemic Awareness: The Missing Link in Upper Elementary

Morphophonemic Awareness: The Missing Link in Upper Elementary

Your fourth grader breezes through simple stories but stumbles over science textbooks. She can decode “cat” and “jump” perfectly, but falls apart when facing “ecosystem” or “photosynthesis.” This may not…

Memory and Phonics: Why Some Kids Forget Letter Sounds

Memory and Phonics: Why Some Kids Forget Letter Sounds

Your child confidently identifies the letter M on Monday. By Wednesday, they stare at the same letter as if they’ve never seen it before. You wonder if you’re doing something…

Organizing Your Home Reading Space for the New Year

Organizing Your Home Reading Space for the New Year

January brings fresh energy and clean slates. You’ve organized closets, cleared out old toys, and maybe even tackled that junk drawer. But have you looked at your child’s reading materials…

Setting Realistic Phonics Milestones for Your Child

Setting Realistic Phonics Milestones for Your Child

New Year’s resolutions aren’t just for adults. January offers the perfect opportunity to set meaningful reading goals for your child. The key isn’t setting ambitious targets that lead to frustration.…

Why January is the Perfect Time to Start Phonics Intervention

Why January is the Perfect Time to Start Phonics Intervention

The new year brings more than just resolutions and fresh calendars. For parents of struggling readers, January offers a strategic window of opportunity that is often overlooked. The timing isn’t…

Starting a New Year Reading Ritual That Supports Phonics Growth

Starting a New Year Reading Ritual That Supports Phonics Growth

Family literacy traditions work because they remove the daily negotiation. When reading becomes “what we do on Sundays” or “how we start each month,” children stop resisting. The routine creates…

Keeping Phonics Skills Sharp During School Holidays

Keeping Phonics Skills Sharp During School Holidays

Many parents watch their children’s hard-won phonics skills fade during extended school holidays, but it doesn’t have to be this way. The good news? Keeping those reading skills sharp during…