For Parents

Help your child strengthen their literacy skills at any stage of development.

Your family plays a big role in helping your child learn to read and write. With the right phonics activities at home, you can support your child’s literacy development and academic success. The more you understand how and why phonics instruction works, the better you can facilitate effective and meaningful learning experiences with your family. 

To help your child practice phonics at home, read our insights for parents below! You can also browse our phonics program reviews for more.

Phonics Education for Families

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?...

Phonics on a Budget: Free and Low-Cost Resources

Phonics on a Budget: Free and Low-Cost Resources

You want to give your child the best start in reading, but phonics programs can cost hundreds of dollars. The good news? Some of the most effective phonics support doesn’t…

Back to School: Preschool Book Ideas

Back to School: Preschool Book Ideas

Starting preschool is a huge milestone for your little one! One day, they’re home with you, and the next, they’re walking into a classroom full of new friends and adventures.…

Kindergarten Phonics Skills: What’s Expected?

Kindergarten Phonics Skills: What’s Expected?

Your five-year-old just started kindergarten, and suddenly everyone is talking about phonics. You might be wondering what exactly your child should be learning this year. Don’t worry, kindergarten phonics is…

Building Phonics Skills Through Cooking, Crafts, and Daily Activities

Building Phonics Skills Through Cooking, Crafts, and Daily Activities

Have you ever noticed how children can recite entire commercial jingles after hearing them just a few times, yet struggle to remember letter sounds during formal reading lessons? That’s because…

Audiobooks and Phonics: Friend or Foe for Developing Readers?

Audiobooks and Phonics: Friend or Foe for Developing Readers?

Your five-year-old sits captivated, listening to a beautifully narrated story about dragons and brave knights. They’re absorbing complex vocabulary, following intricate plots, and developing a genuine love for stories. Meanwhile,…

AI Reading Apps: Promise vs. Reality for Phonics Instruction

AI Reading Apps: Promise vs. Reality for Phonics Instruction

The latest AI-powered reading app promises to transform your child’s phonics learning with personalized instruction that adapts in real-time. The marketing is compelling: artificial intelligence that understands exactly what your…

Homework Battles: Making Phonics Practice Peaceful and Productive

Homework Battles: Making Phonics Practice Peaceful and Productive

Five-year-old Jake loves learning at school, but the moment his phonics worksheet appears at home, tears begin. Sound familiar? Many families struggle with homework battles, especially when young children feel…

Grandparents as Reading Partners: Simple Phonics Activities for Any Age

Grandparents as Reading Partners: Simple Phonics Activities for Any Age

When four-year-old Emma visits Grandma Sarah, magic happens. They curl up in the old rocking chair, open a favorite picture book, and suddenly letters transform into adventures. Grandma points to…

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…