Phonics 101

What is Phonics?

Phonics is one of the five foundational pillars of reading. By definition, phonics is the method of teaching the relationship between the sounds of speech (spoken language) and alphabetical letters (written language).

Through effective phonics instruction, children learn how to read and write.

All children deserve the literacy skills they need to achieve success. Literacy is a powerful ability that equips us to learn, share ideas, understand important information, and navigate the world. All these skills are rooted in phonics.

Want to learn more about the wonders and methods of phonics? You’re in the right place. 

Learn Phonics

Best Books for Teaching Phonics Skills

Best Books for Teaching Phonics Skills

Learning to read is one of childhood’s greatest adventures, and the right books can transform phonics instruction from mechanical practice into magical discovery. While worksheets and flashcards have their place,…

Speech Sound Development Chart: What Parents Need to Know

Speech Sound Development Chart: What Parents Need to Know

Learning to speak is one of the most remarkable feats of early childhood. As parents, those first babbles and words are magical moments we treasure forever. But did you know…

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

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 provide a unique opportunity to strengthen your child’s phonics abilities. There’s something magical about the way…

Silent E Words Help Your Child Master Long Vowel Sounds

Silent E Words Help Your Child Master Long Vowel Sounds

Learning to read involves many small steps that build upon each other. Among these important building blocks is understanding the silent e rule – one of the first “tricky” phonics…

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

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 parents feel lost when their child struggles with reading, not realizing that following a systematic, explicit…

Short Vowel Sounds: A Parent’s Guide

Short Vowel Sounds: A Parent’s Guide

A child’s literacy journey begins with learning the fundamental building blocks of reading, and short vowel sounds are among the most critical first steps. As a parent, understanding these sounds…

What to Do When Reading Skills Regress

What to Do When Reading Skills Regress

Has your child suddenly started struggling with words they used to read with ease? Are they showing less interest in books they once loved? You might be witnessing what educators…

Root Word Meaning: Building Vocabulary Through Phonics

Root Word Meaning: Building Vocabulary Through Phonics

Have you ever watched your child struggle with an unfamiliar word, sounding it out letter by letter, only to miss its meaning entirely? While decoding words is a crucial first…

Building Reading Fluency at Home

Building Reading Fluency at Home

Remember that heart-warming moment when your child first recognized their name in print? The excitement in their eyes was undeniable! Now, as they’re sounding out c-a-t and d-o-g, you might…

Reading Comprehension Strategies: Building on Phonics Foundations

Reading Comprehension Strategies: Building on Phonics Foundations

Ever watched your child perfectly sound out every word in a story, only to have them stare blankly when you ask what the story was about? You’re not alone. This…