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

When it comes to learning to read, systematic vs. incidental phonics isn’t just a debate—studies consistently show systematic phonics leads to better outcomes. Here's what parents need to know to choose the right approach for their child.

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

When it comes to teaching children how to read, not all approaches are created...

Master 30+ essential phonics terms and methods every parent needs to understand.

Essential Phonics Terms Every Parent Should Know

When you start helping your child with reading, you’ll quickly encounter terms that might...

Get answers to 25+ Phonics FAQs. Learn when kids should start phonics, how to help at home, and what to do if your child struggles with reading.

Phonics FAQs: Let’s Support Young Readers

As a parent, you probably have questions about phonics and how to support your...

Learn evidence-based solutions to avoid these pitfalls and ensure effective literacy instruction.

Common Phonics Teaching Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Sarah thought she was doing everything right. She bought colorful phonics workbooks, downloaded popular...

Explore how the Trump administration's focus on evidence-based reading instruction could transform schools.

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...

Discover specialized approaches, visual techniques, and multisensory methods that support deaf and hard-of-hearing learners.

Teaching Phonics to Children with Hearing Impairments

When five-year-old Maya first entered kindergarten with her hearing aids, her teacher wondered how...

Discover why decodable texts outperform leveled readers for early phonics instruction.

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...

Learn how to implement effective measurement strategies, interpret results, and use data to guide instruction for struggling and advancing readers.

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...

These teacher-approved activities boost letter-sound recognition, blending skills, and reading fluency while keeping students engaged and excited about phonics.

Phonics Games for the Classroom: 10 Teacher-Approved Activities

Learning to read shouldn’t feel like a chore. When children associate reading with enjoyment,...

Discover what phonemes are and why they're crucial for your child's reading development.

What is a Phoneme?

Have you ever wondered why your child can recognize the letter ‘B’ but struggles...

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…

15-Minute Phonics: Maximum Impact Reading Practice for Busy Families

15-Minute Phonics: Maximum Impact Reading Practice for Busy Families

Between soccer practice, dinner prep, and bedtime routines, finding time for phonics practice can feel impossible. Busy families need realistic routines that stick. Fifteen-minute commitments feel manageable rather than overwhelming,…

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…