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 what consonants are, how they work in phonics instruction, and practical ways to help your child master these essential reading building blocks at home.

What Are Consonants?

Have you ever watched your child sound out a simple word like “cat” or...

Discover how classic nursery rhymes like 'There Was an Old Lady' and 'Humpty Dumpty' can be powerful phonics teaching tools for early readers.

Nursery Rhymes as Phonics Tools

Did you know that the nursery rhymes you loved as a child could be...

Learn age-appropriate vocabulary benchmarks, the science behind word knowledge development, and practical activities parents can use to expand their child's word bank at home.

Vocabulary Development: How Phonics Builds Word Knowledge in Early Readers

The excited squeal of “I know that word!” from your child during storytime. The...

Discover the best books for teaching phonics to your young reader. Our curated list pairs quality children's literature with specific phonics skills to make learning to read engaging and effective.

The Ultimate Master List of Phonics Books: Organized by Reading Skills

Picture this: Your child’s eyes light up as they successfully sound out a word...

Discover how speech sound development impacts your child's reading journey.

Speech Sound Development Chart: What Parents Need to Know

Learning to speak is one of the most remarkable feats of early childhood. As...

Discover how Lewis Carroll's 'Jabberwocky' and other nonsense literature can strengthen phonics skills in early readers.

The Wonderful World of Nonsense: Using Jabberwocky to Boost Early Reading Skills

The strange creatures and bizarre vocabulary of The Jabberwocky offer more than just giggles—they...

Learn the magic e rule, explore common examples for PreK readers, and discover fun activities to practice this essential phonics pattern at home.

Silent E Words Help Your Child Master Long Vowel Sounds

Learning to read involves many small steps that build upon each other. Among these...

Discover the science-backed roadmap for teaching children to read with our comprehensive guide to phonics scope and sequence.

Scope and Sequence for Early Reading: Your Guide to Phonics Instruction

Did you know that there’s a scientific roadmap for teaching children to read? Many...

Discover effective multisensory techniques, fun activities, and practical strategies to support your child's phonics development and build a strong foundation for reading success.

Short Vowel Sounds: A Parent’s Guide

A child’s literacy journey begins with learning the fundamental building blocks of reading, and...

Discover why children sometimes experience reading regression, how to identify it, and practical phonics activities to help your child regain confidence and skills.

What to Do When Reading Skills Regress

Has your child suddenly started struggling with words they used to read with ease?...

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…