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

learn to read duolingo abc review

Learn to Read: Duolingo ABC Review

At phonics.org, we review educational apps so you can make informed decisions on your...

Orthographic Mapping and Sight Words: Developing Reading Fluency 

Skillful readers can read words effortlessly and automatically with full comprehension. This process often...

Reading Raven App Review

At phonics.org, we evaluate children’s phonics programs so that you can make informed decisions...

tips for teaching phonics at home

10 Tips for Parents Teaching Phonics at Home

Teaching phonics to kids is no easy feat. Reading and writing are complex skills...

letterschool app review

LetterSchool App Review for Phonics Instruction

At phonics.org, we assess phonics programs for children, enabling you to make well-informed decisions...

Phonics Intervention for Struggling Students

Phonics is a must-have foundation for reading instruction—especially for children just learning to read....

reading.com app review

Reading.com App Review

A Unique, Research-Based Approach to Teaching Children to Read At phonics.org, we evaluate phonics...

Common Phonics Mistakes to Avoid When Teaching

Ahhh, phonics instruction. It’s such a special experience in a child’s education! Helping kids...

Phonics Ninja Review

At phonics.org, we review kids’ phonics programs so you can make informed choices on...

Making Phonics Stick: Help Kids Learn Essential Literacy Skills 

Sometimes, it seems like no matter how much you practice with your child or...

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…

8 Tips to Prevent Summer Reading Loss

8 Tips to Prevent Summer Reading Loss

The last day of school arrives with excitement and relief, but lurking beneath the summer fun is a concern that keeps many parents awake at night: Will my child forget…

ADHD and Phonics: How to Maintain Focus During Reading Instruction

ADHD and Phonics: How to Maintain Focus During Reading Instruction

Your energetic six-year-old sits down for phonics practice, excited to learn new letter sounds. Within minutes, they’re fidgeting, looking around the room, and asking about the dog next door. If…

Phonics Catch-Up: Helping Older Elementary Students Fill the Gaps

Phonics Catch-Up: Helping Older Elementary Students Fill the Gaps

When nine-year-old Marcus sits down with his fourth-grade chapter book, he looks confident and ready. But after just a few sentences, frustration creeps across his face. He’s stumbling over words…

Third Grade Reading Crisis: Why This Year Makes or Breaks Literacy

Third Grade Reading Crisis: Why This Year Makes or Breaks Literacy

A classroom full of third graders opens their science textbooks, ready to learn about butterflies and volcanoes. But for many eight-year-olds, the words might as well be written in a…

Phonics for Preschoolers: What’s Too Early vs. Just Right?

Phonics for Preschoolers: What’s Too Early vs. Just Right?

Your three-year-old walks up to you holding a book, points to the letter ‘M’, and declares, “That’s my letter!” Your heart swells with pride, but then doubt creeps in. Should…

When Phonics Progress Stalls: Troubleshooting Common Roadblocks

When Phonics Progress Stalls: Troubleshooting Common Roadblocks

Your five-year-old was excitedly sounding out simple words just last month, proudly reading “cat” and “dog” with confidence. But suddenly, they’re stuck. New words feel impossible, tears come easily during…

Phonological Awareness vs. Phonics

Phonological Awareness vs. Phonics

Did you know that before children can successfully crack the reading code, they must first develop the ability to hear and manipulate the invisible sounds that make up spoken words?…

Can Worksheets Teach Phonics?

Can Worksheets Teach Phonics?

Your child sits at the kitchen table, pencil in hand, dutifully filling in letters on a phonics worksheet while you prepare dinner nearby. They seem focused and productive, and you…

Phonics and Executive Function

Phonics and Executive Function

Here’s something that might surprise you: when your child sits down to sound out the word “cat,” their brain is performing an intricate dance that involves far more than just…

Systematic vs. Incidental Phonics: Which Approach Gets Kids Reading Faster?

Systematic vs. Incidental Phonics: Which Approach Gets Kids Reading Faster?

When it comes to teaching children how to read, not all approaches are created equal. Behind classroom doors across America, a quiet battle is taking place between two fundamentally different…