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…

Building Phonics Skills Through Winter Traditions

Building Phonics Skills Through Winter Traditions

Your child watches snowflakes drift past the window, clutching a mug of warm apple cider. The holiday lights glow softly in the corner. A stack of books waits on the…

Hanukkah Books That Support Early Reading Skills

Hanukkah Books That Support Early Reading Skills

The menorah glows on the kitchen counter. Your preschooler watches the first candle flicker and asks, “Can we read a Hanukkah story?” You reach for a colorful picture book, and…

New Year’s Stories That Build Reading Skills

New Year’s Stories That Build Reading Skills

New Year’s brings fresh starts, new goals, and celebrations around the world. You pull out a stack of colorful books. Each one exploring different traditions and the magic of new…

Matching Books to Phonics Features

Matching Books to Phonics Features

You open a picture book with your four-year-old. The words dance across the page in predictable patterns. Your child giggles at silly animal sounds, then surprises you by chanting along…

Christmas Books For Reading Practice

Christmas Books For Reading Practice

Your child snuggles beside you on a cold December evening, eyes bright with anticipation as you open a holiday book. The pages smell like fresh print and possibility. Outside, snowflakes…

Phonics Training Events and Conferences in 2026: Your Complete Guide

Phonics Training Events and Conferences in 2026: Your Complete Guide

2026 brings an exceptional lineup of professional learning opportunities for educators committed to evidence-based phonics instruction. Whether you’re a classroom teacher seeking to refine your skills, a reading specialist supporting…

Holiday Books With Good Phonics Practice: 10 Festive Reads for Emerging Readers

Holiday Books With Good Phonics Practice: 10 Festive Reads for Emerging Readers

The twinkling lights are up, cookies are baking, and your eager young reader wants to dive into every holiday book on the shelf. But here’s the wonderful secret many parents…

Twice-Exceptional Readers: Phonics for Gifted Students with Dyslexia

Twice-Exceptional Readers: Phonics for Gifted Students with Dyslexia

Picture a seven-year-old who can explain the water cycle in stunning detail, design elaborate engineering projects with building blocks, and engage in conversations that rival those of much older children.…

Dojo Sparks App Review

Dojo Sparks App Review

Updated: 12-18-25 Dojo Sparks combines systematic phonics teaching with voice recognition technology designed to coach young readers. The program teaches letter-sound relationships, blending, and early word reading through game-like activities.…

Phonics Professional Development: Programs That Actually Work

Phonics Professional Development: Programs That Actually Work

Rachel teaches first grade in a suburban elementary school. Last year, she watched five of her students struggle through every reading lesson while their classmates progressed steadily. She tried different…