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

children learning basic concepts in language

Basic Concepts in Language Development 

In language development, basic concepts are words that set the foundation for children’s learning....

How to Compare Phonics Reviews and Choose the Best Program 

If you’re a teacher or parent of young readers, you’ve likely faced the overwhelming...

kids playing the super simple songs app

Super Simple Songs App Review

Building Literacy Foundations With Super Simple Songs Playlists At phonics.org, we review the most...

Endless Alphabet App Review

A Simple and Engaging App That Disappoints in Alphabet Instruction Take a detailed look...

dibels reading assessment for parents

A Parent’s Guide to the DIBELS Reading Assessment

Reading assessments are essential tools for identifying and addressing reading challenges in children. One...

student playing read naturally live app

Read Naturally Live App Review

Phonics.org takes a close look at literacy programs so that you can make informed...

phonetic sounds in the English language

Phonetic Sounds in the English Language 

Have you ever wondered why the English language can be so complex? While there...

child playing foundations a-z phonics program on computer

Foundations A-Z Review for Literacy Instruction

Phonics.org takes a closer look at literacy programs so that you can make more...

learn how to teach spelling

How to Teach Spelling: Beginner Phonics Instruction

Spelling is a primary skill in phonics instruction and literacy development. It equips children...

kids and the lalilo app review

Lalilo App Review

Lalilo App Review At Phonics.org, our goal is to provide educational reviews that empower...

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…

Federal Focus on Evidence-Based Reading: What This Means for Your Child’s Education

Federal Focus on Evidence-Based Reading: What This Means for Your Child’s Education

In a historic shift that could transform how millions of American children learn to read, the U.S. Department of Education has announced that evidence-based literacy instruction will be a top…

Teaching Phonics to Children with Hearing Impairments

Teaching Phonics to Children with Hearing Impairments

When five-year-old Maya first entered kindergarten with her hearing aids, her teacher wondered how to help her learn phonics alongside her hearing peers. Like many educators and parents, she assumed…

Decodable Texts vs. Leveled Readers: Making the Right Choice for Your Child

Decodable Texts vs. Leveled Readers: Making the Right Choice for Your Child

Did you know that the books your child reads during their early learning years can make or break their reading success? Many parents assume all “beginning reader” books serve the…

Phonics Assessment Tools: How to Measure Reading Progress Effectively

Phonics Assessment Tools: How to Measure Reading Progress Effectively

The journey to reading proficiency isn’t linear—it’s filled with plateaus, leaps forward, and occasional steps back. This natural variability makes systematic assessment not just helpful but essential. When we regularly…

Phonics Games for the Classroom: 10 Teacher-Approved Activities

Phonics Games for the Classroom: 10 Teacher-Approved Activities

Learning to read shouldn’t feel like a chore. When children associate reading with enjoyment, they’re more likely to develop into lifelong readers who approach books with enthusiasm rather than dread.…

What is a Phoneme?

What is a Phoneme?

Have you ever wondered why your child can recognize the letter ‘B’ but struggles to connect it with the sound it makes? Or why sounding out words like “ship” and…

What is Inference? Helping Young Readers Become Critical Thinkers

What is Inference? Helping Young Readers Become Critical Thinkers

Your five-year-old is listening to you read “Little Red Riding Hood.” When the wolf appears dressed as Grandma, your child exclaims, “That’s not Grandma! It’s the wolf trying to trick…

What Are Graphic Novels? Connecting Visual Storytelling to Phonics Instruction

What Are Graphic Novels? Connecting Visual Storytelling to Phonics Instruction

Picture this: Your reluctant reader who struggles with phonics suddenly can’t put down a book. They’re engrossed, sounding out words, making predictions, and actually enjoying reading. What magical transformation has…

What Are Consonants?

What Are Consonants?

Have you ever watched your child sound out a simple word like “cat” or “jump”? Behind those moments of learning lies a fascinating linguistic structure that forms the backbone of…

Nursery Rhymes as Phonics Tools

Nursery Rhymes as Phonics Tools

Did you know that the nursery rhymes you loved as a child could be powerful reading tools? Those catchy, sometimes silly verses that have entertained children for generations are actually…