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The Connection Between Phonics and Spelling: Building Both Skills Together

phonicsorg on January 22, 2025

Learning to read and write are two sides of the same coin. While many parents and teachers might focus on phonics and spelling as separate skills, teaching them together can lead to better outcomes for young learners. In this article, we’ll explore how phonics and spelling instruction work hand in hand to create stronger readers and writers.

Why Connect Phonics and Spelling Instruction?

When children learn to read using phonics, they’re learning how letters and letter combinations represent speech sounds. This same knowledge is crucial for spelling—it’s just working in the opposite direction. Instead of seeing letters and producing sounds (reading), children hear sounds and produce letters (spelling).

Systematic, explicit instruction in both phonics and spelling leads to better outcomes in both areas. Let’s talk about why this connection is so powerful.

Reinforcing Letter-Sound Relationships

When children practice both reading and spelling words with similar patterns, they strengthen their understanding of how sounds and letters work together. This connection is crucial for developing strong literacy skills. Here’s how it works in practice:

Letter-Sound Pattern Recognition

Children need repeated exposure to specific patterns to internalize them. For example, when teaching the short ‘a’ sound:

Begin with simple CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) words like ‘cat,’ ‘hat,’ and ‘map’
Have children read these words in decodable texts
Practice spelling words with the same pattern
Play games that reinforce both reading and spelling these patterns

Building Pattern Awareness

As children work with specific sound patterns, they begin to recognize them in new contexts:

They learn to identify word families (like -at, -ap, -an)
They notice these patterns in their reading
They apply these patterns more confidently in their writing
They make connections between similar words

Systematic Practice

The key to success is providing systematic practice in both directions:

Reading to Spelling: “Here’s the word ‘cat.’ What sounds do you hear?”
Spelling to Reading: “Let’s spell the word ‘mat.’ What letters make those sounds?”

A Word on Sight Words

The term “sight words” often creates confusion in phonics instruction. While many teachers are familiar with sight word lists and flashcards, it’s important to understand how they fit into explicit phonics instruction.

What Are Sight Words Really?

The science of reading tells us that all words eventually become “sight words” – words we can read automatically without decoding. However, this doesn’t mean we should teach all common words through memorization. Instead:

Many traditional “sight words” can and should be taught through phonics (like “in,” “at,” “up”)
Only truly irregular words need to be taught as unique patterns (like “the,” “was,” “of”)

Instead of relying on pure memorization, which can overwhelm students and hinder their phonics development, teaching sight words within the context of systematic phonics instruction can help with the learning process.

This means teaching regular sight words alongside related phonics patterns (like teaching “at” when working on short ‘a’ sounds), explicitly teaching only truly irregular words (like “was” and “of”), and continuously reviewing previously learned words. This integrated approach helps students develop strong decoding skills while building automatic word recognition, leading to better outcomes in both reading and spelling.

Building Confident Readers and Writers

One of the most common and problematic reading behaviors occurs around kindergarten when children are nearing the end of the year. At this stage, most children know all or nearly all letters of the alphabet and have received some phonemic awareness and decoding instruction. However, the rate at which they master these skills can vary.

As they begin to connect sounds to graphemes, some students may guess at words based on the first letter or two instead of fully decoding them. For example, they might see the word ‘pit’ and read it as ‘pig’ or look at ‘bag’ and say ‘bat.’ This happens because they haven’t fully mastered sound-symbol relationships, often relying on context clues or pictures rather than systematically decoding the entire word.

By practicing both phonics and spelling together, students develop crucial skills that prevent this guessing habit:

Children learn to analyze every sound position in a word systematically, from beginning to end
They develop stronger phonemic awareness and can mentally map sounds to letters with greater precision
They build neural pathways that connect pronunciation, spelling, and meaning
They’re more likely to slow down and decode unfamiliar words rather than guess
They develop automatic recognition of common spelling patterns, improving both accuracy and fluency

This integrated approach is particularly powerful because it engages multiple learning pathways in the brain – visual, auditory, and kinesthetic – creating stronger, more reliable reading skills that persist even when students encounter new or challenging words.

Practical Strategies for Parents and Teachers

Here are some effective ways to connect phonics and spelling instruction:

Start with Sounds: Before introducing new letter patterns, have children practice hearing and manipulating the target sounds in words. For example, before teaching the ‘bl’ blend:

Practice blending sounds: “/b/ /l/ /ā/ /k/” becomes “Blake”
Practice segmenting words: “blob” becomes “/b/ /l/ /ŏ/ /b/”

Use Systematic Instruction

Follow a clear sequence when teaching both reading and spelling:

Begin with simple patterns and gradually increase the complexity
Ensure children master basic skills before moving to more challenging ones
Review previously learned patterns regularly

Provide Plenty of Practice

Give children opportunities to work with words in multiple ways:

Reading decodable texts that feature target patterns
Writing words with the same patterns
Playing games that incorporate both reading and spelling

Signs of Success

You’ll know your connected instruction is working when you see:

Increased confidence in approaching new words
Better accuracy in both reading and spelling
Less reliance on guessing strategies
More willingness to attempt challenging words

Remember, learning to read and spell takes time. Some children may need more practice than others, and that’s perfectly normal. The key is maintaining consistent, systematic instruction that connects these related skills.

Want to learn more about effective phonics and spelling instruction? Explore our other helpful resources here at Phonics.org, where we share expert reviews and tips for supporting young readers and writers.

Phonics and the Literacy Crisis: America’s Reading Challenge

phonicsorg on December 20, 2024

The statistics are sobering: 66% of American fourth graders are failing to meet proficiency levels in reading, with even more alarming rates among minority students. For Black fourth graders, this number climbs to 82%. These aren’t just numbers—they represent millions of children whose futures are shaped by their early reading abilities.

Understanding the Crisis

The literacy crisis in America isn’t just an educational challenge—it’s a predictor of life outcomes. Research shows that children with below-basic reading skills in third grade are six times more likely to fail to complete high school on time. Perhaps most troubling, 70% of incarcerated adults cannot read above a fourth-grade level, highlighting the profound societal implications of early reading failure.

But there’s hope. The solution lies in something researchers have known for decades: systematic phonics instruction.

The Science Behind Reading Success

Reading doesn’t develop naturally like spoken language. While our brains are wired for speech, reading requires explicit instruction in connecting letters (graphemes) to sounds (phonemes). This process, known as phonics, is supported by decades of research and cognitive science.

Key findings show that:

95% of children have the cognitive ability to become proficient readers
Up to 50% of children require systematic, explicit instruction to achieve reading success
The brain processes written language letter by letter, sound by sound
Without systematic phonics instruction, many students will continue to struggle

Want to explore? Here are some fun phonics practice ideas you can do at home.

The Mississippi Miracle: A Case Study in Success

The transformation of Mississippi’s reading scores provides compelling evidence for the power of systematic phonics instruction. From 2013 to 2023, Mississippi rose from 49th to 21st in national reading rankings by:

Abandoning ineffective “meaning-based” approaches
Implementing systematic phonics instruction
Training teachers in structured literacy
Providing explicit instruction in letter-sound relationships

Why Traditional Approaches Fall Short

Many popular reading programs rely on “meaning-based” approaches that encourage students to:

Guess words based on context
Use picture clues
Memorize sight words without understanding phonetic patterns
Predict words based on the “three-cueing system.”

These methods contradict what science tells us about how the brain learns to read. They can create poor reading habits that become increasingly problematic as texts become more complex.

The Role of Phonics in Reading Development

Systematic phonics instruction teaches children to:

Recognize individual letter sounds
Blend sounds together to read words
Break words apart into individual sounds
Understand spelling patterns
Apply these skills to decode unfamiliar words

This approach builds a strong foundation for:

Reading fluency
Comprehension
Vocabulary development
Academic success

Supporting Phonics Development at Home

Parents play a crucial role in reinforcing phonics skills. Here are evidence-based strategies:

For Pre-readers (Ages 3-5):

Practice letter sounds daily
Play sound games and rhyming activities
Read decodable books together
Focus on letter-sound relationships rather than just letter names

For Beginning Readers:

Use systematic phonics programs
Practice blending sounds
Read decodable texts that match taught skills
Avoid guessing strategies

For Struggling Readers:

Seek early intervention
Use structured literacy approaches
Provide additional practice opportunities
Focus on foundational skills

The Path Forward

Addressing America’s literacy crisis requires:

Recognition of the problem’s scope
Implementation of evidence-based reading instruction
Teacher training in structured literacy
Parent education and support
Early intervention for struggling readers

Happy Readers = Future Leaders

The literacy crisis in America is serious but solvable. We can ensure that all children develop strong reading skills by embracing systematic phonics instruction and abandoning ineffective teaching methods. The science is clear: phonics works. Now, it’s time to implement that knowledge in our homes and schools.

Digraphs and Trigraphs: A Parent’s Guide

phonicsorg on December 13, 2024

Is your child starting to read words with letter combinations like ‘sh’ or ‘ch’? Congratulations—you’re entering the exciting world of digraphs and trigraphs! While these terms might sound technical, they’re not too tricky. The terms describe “letter teams” that work together to make a single sound. Let’s explore how you can help your child master these important reading building blocks at home.

What Are Digraphs? Think “Letter Teams”

Think of digraphs as two letters that are best friends – they stick together to make one special sound. Unlike when letters blend (like ‘st’ in “stop,” where you hear both sounds), digraphs create an entirely new sound.

Common Digraphs in Early Reading

Let’s look at some letter teams your child will encounter in their early reading journey:

Team ‘sh’ – Makes the quiet “shhh” sound

Words to practice: ship, shop, fish, dish
Fun practice: Play “quiet time” and make the “shhh” sound together when reading these words

Team ‘ch’ – Makes the “choo-choo” train sound

Words to practice: chair, cheese, lunch, beach
Fun practice: Pretend to be a train while sounding out these words

Team ‘th’ – Stick out your tongue for this one!

Words to practice: this, that, with, path
Fun practice: Make funny faces in the mirror while practicing the ‘th’ sound

Team ‘wh’ – The questioning sound

Words to practice: what, when, where, which
Fun practice: Play “Twenty Questions” using lots of ‘wh’ words

These digraphs introduce important sounds in early reading.

Special Vowel Teams

Just like consonants, vowels can team up to make new sounds. Here are some common ones:

Team ‘ee’ – Makes the long E sound

Words to practice: tree, seed, feet, green
Fun practice: Go on a nature walk and spot things with the ‘ee’ sound

Team ‘oa’ – Makes the long O sound

Words to practice: boat, goat, road, soap
Fun practice: Go on a “road trip” around the house, finding things with the ‘oa’ sound

Exploring these vowel teams adds a playful twist to learning, helping your child uncover the formula behind new sounds.

What About Trigraphs? The Three-Letter Teams

Sometimes, three letters join forces to make one sound. These are called trigraphs, and while they’re less common, they’re important to know:

Team ‘tch’ – Found at the ends of words

Words to practice: catch, watch, match
Fun practice: Play catch while practicing words with ‘tch’

Team ‘igh’ – Makes the long I sound

Words to practice: light, night, bright
Fun practice: Take turns turning the lights on and off while saying ‘igh’ words

Trigraphs open the door to even more reading adventures — perfect for growing your child’s confidence.

Fun Ways to Practice at Home

Here are even more at-home activities that strengthen reading skills through interactive and hands-on exercises:

1. Letter Team Treasure Hunt

Give your child a magazine or children’s book
Pick a digraph to hunt for
Have them circle or highlight every word they find that contains that letter team

2. Sound Sort Game

Write words with different digraphs on sticky notes
Help your child sort them into groups by their letter teams
Make it fun by turning it into a race or matching game

3. Memory Match

Create pairs of cards with matching digraph words
Play a traditional memory game
When they find a match, have them read the word

4. Letter Team Art

Pick a digraph or trigraph to focus on
Draw pictures of things that contain that sound
Label the pictures together

By facilitating these activities, you’ll provide plenty of chances to practice and reinforce your child’s understanding of digraphs and trigraphs.

When Your Child Gets Stuck

It’s perfectly normal for kids to need extra help with these letter teams. Here are some tips for tricky moments:

Break it down: Point to the letter team and remind them it makes one sound
Use a reminder: “Remember, ‘sh’ makes the quiet sound!”
Make it physical: Use hand motions for different sounds
Stay positive: Celebrate their efforts and progress

With patience and consistent encouragement, your child will gradually gain confidence in mastering these letter teams.

Let’s Grow There… Together

Want to make learning digraphs and trigraphs even more engaging? Browse the Phonics.org blog: it’s chock-full of reading app reviews and fun ideas to support your child’s reading journey.

How to Find a Phonics Tutor: Tips for Parents

phonicsorg on December 6, 2024

Phonics is a major aspect of your child’s early education. It equips them with the skills they need to read, write, and learn. Foundational skills like decoding, vocabulary, and reading comprehension will carry them through their academic journey as well as the rest of their life! Therefore, if your child is struggling with their phonics education, you might want to consider getting them a phonics tutor or literacy specialist.

In this article, we explore some of the options available to support struggling readers. A skilled tutor can offer personalized instruction, boost your child’s confidence, and make a lasting impact on your student’s learning. Learn what to look for in a phonics tutor and how to navigate the process!

When Should You Get a Phonics Tutor for Your Child?

There are some signs that your child could use one-on-one support from a phonics tutor. Some signs are obvious, whereas others might be subtle. Knowing these signs is the first step to addressing potential literacy difficulties your child is experiencing.

Difficulty recognizing letters and sounds: If your child struggles to identify individual letters or associate them with their corresponding speech sounds, this may indicate a need for phonics intervention.
Trouble blending sounds to form words: Children who can identify letter sounds but have difficulty combining them to read whole words may benefit from targeted phonics instruction.
Avoiding reading activities: If your child constantly avoids reading or becomes frustrated during literacy tasks, it could be a sign of underlying challenges.
Low confidence in reading and writing: A child who expresses doubt or low self-esteem in their ability to read or shows anxiety around phonics activities may need additional support.

Early intervention is crucial when it comes to addressing reading or writing difficulties. Research has consistently shown that addressing reading challenges in the early years—ideally, by grade three—can prevent more significant issues from developing later on.

What Makes a Good Phonics Tutor?

When searching for a phonics tutor, consider the following qualities.

Qualifications and Training

There are several types of tutors you can consider, from reading specialists to one-on-one tutors that supplement your child’s instruction in the classroom.

Look for certified educators with reputable credentials and specific training in systematic phonics instruction.
Seek tutors who are familiar with evidence-based literacy practices, particularly those aligned with the science of reading.
Contact a certified reading specialist or clinician if your child has been diagnosed with a specific learning disorder.

Teaching Approach

While there are several different types of phonics instructional methods, there are proven strategies that work for most children. Below are some of the factors to look for.

Explicit and systematic instruction: Effective phonics tutors use a structured approach that systematically introduces and reinforces phonics concepts.
Multisensory techniques: Good tutors incorporate visual, auditory, and hands-on activities to engage children in many activities that reinforce phonics skills.
Individualized instruction: The ability to tailor lessons based on a child’s specific needs and learning pace is important for effective phonics tutoring.

Tools and Resources

A good phonics tutor will typically provide helpful resources and practice tools for your child to continue at home! Examples include:

Decodable texts: Tutors should be familiar with and utilize texts that align with the phonics skills being taught.
Phoneme-grapheme mapping: Effective tutors use strategies that help children understand the relationship between sounds and letters.
Interactive tools: The use of technology and hands-on materials can enhance engagement and reinforce phonics concepts.

Where to Find a Phonics Tutor

There are several avenues you can explore when searching for a qualified phonics tutor. Don’t know where to start? Here are some suggestions.

Local Resources

If you’re looking for an in-person tutor to help your child with their phonics skills, local resources are a great place to start. This can include:

Your child’s school
The local library
Educational centers
Tutoring programs
Nonprofit literacy organizations
Pediatrician offices
Child psychologists

There are also online directories to locate tutors and specialists for children with conditions like dyslexia, autism, or ADHD.

Online Platforms

With the luxury of remote and hybrid learning today, there are also online options to consider. In this case, your child can receive quality tutoring via video calls from the comfort of your own home.

Websites like Tutor.com and SylvanLearning.com connect families with qualified tutors on a variety of subjects, including phonics and reading. Virtual tutoring from these sites is flexible and convenient for children who may not otherwise have access to specialists locally.

Direct Recommendations

Some of the best services are found through referrals and word-of-mouth. Therefore, it’s a good idea to ask your friends, neighbors, local parenting groups, and your child’s teachers if they know of a qualified phonics tutor. Online forums like Facebook groups and social media can also be a helpful resource.

Phonics Programs to Help With Tutoring

To complement one-on-one tutoring, consider incorporating structured phonics programs that can be implemented at home.

Research-Based Programs

Effective phonics programs offer a systematic progression from simple to complex phonics concepts. These programs typically:

Introduce letter-sound relationships in a logical sequence
Provide ample practice opportunities for each skill
Include regular assessments to monitor progress
Obtain a professional reading assessment to diagnose areas of concern

Supplemental Materials

In addition to a core phonics program, effective tutoring often incorporates:

Decodable texts: These books are specifically designed to reinforce the phonics skills being taught, allowing children to practice reading words with familiar sound patterns.
Dictation activities: Regular dictation exercises help children apply their phonics knowledge to spelling and writing.
Cumulative review: Consistent review of previously learned concepts helps solidify phonics skills and promotes long-term retention.
Digital programs: Certain online programs or phonics apps can be helpful additions to support your child’s literacy development. Check out some helpful reviews at Phonics.org.

Phonics.org: Your Go-To Resource for Phonics Tips

Finding the right phonics tutor can be a significant milestone in your child’s literacy development. By recognizing the signs that your child may need additional support, understanding what qualities to look for in a tutor, and exploring your best options, you can take proactive steps to support your child’s reading journey.

As you begin your search for a phonics tutor, make an effort to interview potential tutors, asking about their qualifications, teaching approach, and experience with phonics instruction. In the meantime, explore more educational phonics resources and tips at Phonics.org where we share honest reviews from literacy experts!

Alphablocks: Letter Fun App Review

Jaymi Thiessen on November 8, 2024

Exploring Letter Sound Learning with the Alphablocks: Letter Fun App

Check out phonics.org to see more detailed literacy app reviews and make informed choices for your students or children.

Continue reading to learn more about the Alphablocks: Letter Fun app.

What is the Alphablocks App?

The Alphablocks: Letter Fun app is inspired by the popular BBC series Learning Blocks TV. It features beloved characters from the Alphablocks, Number Blocks, and Colour Blocks educational TV shows.

The Alphablocks segment specifically focuses on literacy, drawing from the rich content of the TV show, which boasts over 80 episodes. The Alphablocks: Letter Fun app aims to help young children master learning the connection between letters and the sounds they represent in an interactive way. Currently, it is available in British English only and is offered as a paid app.

Are the Alphablocks: Letter Fun Apps Easy to Use?

The following factors impact the overall usability of the Alphablocks: Letter Fun app.

Getting Around Alphablocks: Letter Fun

The Alphablocks app is generally easy to navigate. Settings are cleverly accessed by holding a “Grown Ups” button which also provides a description of the Alphablocks.

There are two main areas for learners to explore:

Meet the Alphablocks – hear a letter sound, play 4 mini games for each letter

Bubble Pop – pop bubbles to match letter sounds
Paint Me – letter sounds game
Favorite Things – pop things that start with a certain letter sound
Hide & Seek – spot a hiding Alphablock

Sing Along

A to Z – every Alphablock sings its letter sound song

Choose to play in sequence or mix it up randomly—it’s all about fun and learning!

*The Home screen in Alphablocks: Letter Fun*

Settings

The Alphablocks: Letter Fun app offers a few customizable settings on the grown-ups’ page. Parents can toggle between letter sounds and letter names, enabling children to engage with the game in different ways. Additionally, there are options to adjust game settings or reset progress, although it would be beneficial to include the ability to add multiple users for shared experiences.

Instructions

One notable feature is the absence of distracting music, which is a significant advantage for a game focused on letter sounds. However, the inability to repeat instructions in the minigames can be a drawback. Without the option to revisit instructions, young players may find it challenging to navigate some of the minigames.

Engagement in Alphablocks: Letter Fun

The following factors influence the engagement that learners may have with the app.

Gameplay

The appearance of the animated characters from a known TV show definitely works to capture the attention of kids who will be drawn into the game. The design, animations, and songs are cute and engaging for young kids.

The four mini-games in the Alphablocks: Letter Fun app are predictable and repetitive, but this design is intentional—routine and repetition are important for helping children solidify the connection between letters and their corresponding sounds. More children could consistently and actively participate in the app by adding the option to repeat instructions for each game.

*The Favorite Things mini game asks players to match things with the same initial letter sound*

Feedback & Rewards

In the Alphablocks: Letter Fun app, the emphasis is on educational games rather than elaborate reward systems. When kids answer correctly, they receive positive sounds, stars, and verbal praise, which reinforces their achievements. There are also nice little touches, like when the Alphablocks celebrate completing all four mini-games with a cheerful song. Overall, the app effectively maintains a focus on educational goals while keeping the experience engaging and enjoyable.

Literacy Learning With Alphablocks: Letter Fun

These factors impact how effective the Alphablocks: Letter Fun app is at teaching kids important literacy skills.

Letter Sounds

The Alphablocks: Letter Fun app does a great job of providing accurate letter sounds in British English, which is essential for effective learning. Most games are pretty good at teaching letter sound connections, but there are a few glitches to note. For instance, in the Bubble Pop game, kids are asked to catch bubbles that say /k/, but only the letter <C> is counted as a correct answer.

On the positive side, the app uses repetition of letter sounds which is excellent for helping kids make those important connections. However, some representations of letter sounds in the alphabet song could be more distinctive. Overall, while there are a few hiccups, the app mostly provides a solid foundation for learning letter sounds.

Phonemic Awareness

The Alphablocks: Letter Fun app primarily focuses on teaching letter sounds, which is a worthy goal for an educational literacy app. There are additional phonemic awareness exercises in the app such as identifying the first sound in a word (known as phoneme isolation).

In the Alphablocks: Letter Fun app all letter sounds are taught at once in any order the child chooses. While there’s nothing wrong with learning all the letter sounds at once, some reading programs opt to teach a few sounds first and emphasize blending them to read words. This method can help speed up the learning-to-read process.

Is the Alphablocks: Letter Fun App Good for Learning?

Overall, the Alphablocks: Letter Fun app is easy to learn how to use and is fairly engaging for young children who are learning their letter-sound associations. The easy-to-use app uses cute animated Alphablock characters from the TV show with catchy songs to engage children in learning some foundational literacy skills.

The app has a simple system for teaching letter-sound associations through four repetitious mini games. These games are useful, well-designed and developmentally appropriate, but could be improved by adding repeatable instructions for the games. There are also minor letter sound errors in the game, which could be occasionally confusing for kids. Overall, The Alphablocks: Letter Fun has a helpful method for teaching children the valuable goal of learning letter sound correspondences.

Want to discover more phonics education apps? Check out Phonics.org for a growing library of honest reviews from literacy experts!

Alphablocks: Letter Fun – Overall Ratings

Quality of Literacy Instruction: 3 / 5

Usability: 4 / 5

Engagement: 4 / 5

When Can Kids Write Their Name?

phonicsorg on September 6, 2024

If you’re a parent, you likely anticipate your child’s developmental milestones with awe and excitement. One of the most memorable milestones in a child’s life is when they begin to express themselves through pen and paper—and especially when they learn to write their own name! This early literacy skill marks the beginning of your child’s writing experiences that will carry them through school and life.

So, when can kids write their names? And what can you do to encourage their learning? Let’s look at this fascinating developmental process and consider some of the ways you can support your child as they become rooted in language and self-identity.

Childhood Developmental Stages of Name Writing

Children go through several learning stages as they begin to learn how to write. Since a child’s name is one of the first words they ever learn how to write, recognizing these different stages can help you recognize their progress and provide the necessary support.

While the following stages are typical of many children, remember that every child develops at their own pace. Some kids might learn letter-writing quickly and easily with basic guidance, whereas others may develop slowly and require extra support. There’s no “perfect” timeline to aim for here—it varies from child to child.

Scribbling Stage (1-2 years)

By 12-18 months old, many toddlers have the dexterity and curiosity to scribble. They can sit up on their own, hold objects in a fist, and create loose movements with a writing utensil, making random marks on paper.

While these scribbles don’t yet resemble anything legible, they represent your little one’s first attempt at communication through writing. It’s helping them build the essential motor skills they’ll need to one day write words and sentences.

Making Shapes Stage (3-4 years)

By age three, kids can typically produce markings on paper that resemble common shapes. These include circles, triangles, lines, dots, and curves. Early-developing children might make “controlled scribbles” that result in sloppy shapes, whereas kids with more practice might begin drawing whole circles and straight lines.

Writing Random Letters Stage (3.5-4.5 years)

When kids begin recognizing their first alphabetical letters and copying them onto paper (around 3-5 years old), they go through phases of writing random letters. They’re at the point where they understand that writing involves alphabetical symbols, but they might not be able to replicate individual symbols from memory with any set purpose yet.

It’s common for children at this stage to write letters backward or upside down, confuse certain shapes in letters, or write random letters for fun.

Semiphonetic Stage (4.5-5 years)

Writing whole words and sentences requires confidence in letter-sound correspondences—in other words, being able to connect alphabetical letters and the sounds they represent. This is a crucial phonetic skill, making up a big part of early phonics education.

When children enter the phonetic stage of writing (typically by age 4 or 5), they’ll start writing the first letter of their name correctly. Then, they may include other letters they hear when their name is pronounced, even if those letters aren’t in the proper spelling of their name. Other kids, however, are explicitly taught their name from the beginning, and learn to practice spelling their whole name from memory.

Name Writing Mastery (5-6 years)

The most common age at which children can write their whole names legibly is around 5-6 years old. At this point, they ideally know letter formations and can produce their name with proper capitalization and spelling. Name-writing is especially focused on during kindergarten. In school, it’s often expected that students know how to write their names by the end of this grade.

Things That Impact Children’s Name-Writing Milestones

A few things impact a child’s writing development early on. Whether your child is struggling to write their first letters or you notice them behind the rest of the kids in their class, consider these factors.

Fine motor skills are the physical ability to control small muscles and joints such as hands, fingers, and wrists. Writing involves these fine motor skills. Children who are susceptible to fine motor difficulties might struggle with writing.
Letter recognition is a required skill for learning to write. Your child must know (or currently be learning) the alphabet to determine what certain letters look like and be able to reproduce them.
Phonological awareness is the ability to recognize and manipulate the individual sounds of speech. This is involved in “sounding out” words to transcribe them into writing. It’s been proven that children who struggle with phonological awareness are likely to have reading and writing difficulties.
The amount of exposure and practice your child receives to letters, reading, and writing can heavily influence their development. This is one reason why parents are encouraged to create a literacy-rich environment and facilitate practice with their children during early literacy.

Signs Your Child is Ready to Write Their Name

Some signs that indicate your child is ready to practice writing their name include:

They show interest in drawing and writing
They’re learning to hold a writing utensil correctly (tripod grip)
They’re learning the alphabet
They recognize or point out some letters in print
They try to copy shapes and letters on paper

If you notice your child taking an interest in writing, it’s likely time to help them learn to write their name!

How to Encourage Your Child to Begin Writing

Fostering your child’s interest in writing needs to be fun and educational. Here are some tips to encourage them and nurture their budding literacy skills.

Make Writing Approachable: Set up your child’s space with plenty of writing materials so they can easily grab a crayon and paper to draw or write when they want to. You can also provide alphabet cards, letter tracing worksheets, and books to encourage a literacy-rich environment.
Model Fluent Writing: Let your child watch you as you write on a piece of paper. Explain what you’re doing as you write your name (or theirs), making it interesting and educational for them.
Practice—and Make it Fun: Provide plenty of practice activities and get creative with it. Pencils and paper are necessary, however, feel free to include alternative writing exercises using finger paint, clay, dry-erase boards, sand, and fun utensils (such as glitter pens or scented markers).
Celebrate Small Victories: Acknowledge your child’s attempts at writing, even if it isn’t legible or accurate yet. Offer kindness and patience as you help them practice, correcting mistakes as they go.

Children’s Name Writing as Part of Phonics Education

Kids learn to write their names as part of early phonics education. They must first learn how to connect sounds with letters, understand basic decoding and encoding concepts, and practice literacy skills in a supportive, systematic instructional environment.

While classroom instruction is foundational to your child’s reading and writing, a lot of their earlier phonics exposure begins at home. Learning to talk, building a vocabulary, strengthening their phonemic awareness, and observing literate adults in their lives are all beneficial before entering formal literacy instruction.
To prepare your child to become a strong reader and writer, make phonics instruction fun and effective early on. At Phonics.org, we provide a library of resources to help families understand phonics education for kids. Check out our phonics tips for parents to help your child at every phase of literacy development.

Simple 10-Minute Phonics Lessons for Busy Parents

phonicsorg on August 16, 2024

If your child is learning phonics, you might be wondering how to help them practice at home. Phonics practice sets the foundation for how future reading skills are developed. But when family life is busy and you have multiple kids in school, it can be hard to find the time to sit down and dedicate the time a child needs to strengthen their phonics knowledge.

Thankfully, there are quick and simple ways you can still incorporate phonics lessons at home without spending hours focused on studying. In this article, we share some approachable, 10-minute phonics lessons that busy parents like you can include in their daily routines.

8 Short Phonics Lessons You Can Do Anywhere

Even if it’s just ten minutes per day, consistent phonics practices can help your child along their literacy journey. Consistency is key. At Phonics.org, we share effective activities and phonics apps that young learners love.

You can fit these activities into small, 10-20 minute pockets of downtime at home while also making it fun for your kids. Practice during breakfast, while waiting for dinner to be ready, during car rides, while standing in line at the mall, or even while waiting in a medical office. The goal is to make phonics a meaningful part of your child’s life.

Lesson 1: Letter Sound Matching

Matching letter sounds is a simple way to reinforce letter-sound correspondences for kids who are early in their phonics education. You can play with alphabet cards, pictures, objects in the room, or even verbal names of family and friends.

Ask your child to say the word of the picture, letter, object, or name you are presenting to them. Then, see if they can identify the letter sound the first letter makes, such as /d/ for dog. If they pick up on the concept easily, see if they can come up with another word that begins with the same letter sound—in the case of /d/, they could say a word like “dentist” or “duck.” Repeat with as many words as you can in 10-20 minutes.

Lesson 2: Rhyming Words

This word match is a great activity for curious, active kiddos. It helps young children develop their phonemic awareness through rhyming. All you need are household items or objects your child can identify in their surroundings.

Choose a simple word like “cat” and then ask your child to go and look for words that rhyme with it. They might point out a hat, a mat, or a baseball bat. If there are no items that rhyme in your physical surroundings, ask if they can come up with a rhyming word on their own.

Lesson 3: Blending Sounds

Blending is when a child combines every letter sound in a word to pronounce the full word. To practice blending, gather a set of alphabet cards, plastic fridge magnets, or letter blocks. Choose letters that will spell simple words such as “sit,” “dad,” or “hot.” Present one letter at a time and have your child sound it out, then place the next letter and have them sound it out, and so on. Once the full word is spelled, ask your child to blend the whole word together. Help them if they get stuck.

Lesson 4: Sort the Word Families

Sorting word families helps kids recognize word patterns and sound segments. You can do this mini-phonics lesson by using alphabet cards or a list of written words that are appropriate for your child’s skill level. In random order, write out words from the same “families” (such as words ending in -at, -ig, -an, -in, etc.). Have your child go through and read the words out loud, offering guidance if they need it. After they read the words, help them go through the list again and circle each word family in a different colored pencil. For example, words ending in ‘-in’ would be circled green and words ending in ‘-ar’ would be circled in pink.

Lesson 5: Identify the Initial Sound

Phonics scavenger hunts help kids identify the initial sounds in everyday objects. This includes household items, items in TV shows, and pictures in children’s books. Give your child a specific phoneme (sound of speech) and have them look for items that start with that sound. This could be sounds like /sh/, /oo/, /l/, /s/, or /p/.

Lesson 6: Words With Deleted Letters

This short phonics lesson helps kids manipulate sounds in words and can be done anywhere. All it requires is some verbal communication and play. To do this activity, say a word and ask your child to repeat it without a specific sound—such as “cat” without the /c/ sound. They’ll say, “at.” Play around with this game and make it fun! See if they can figure out how to say “pepper” without /p/ or “banana” without /a/. Let them choose words for you to say and then delete one sound, too.

Lesson 7: Phonics Memory Cards

Memory games are another fun activity to play at home with minimal supplies. You can create homemade cards with alphabetical letters on one set and a picture representing each letter sound on another set of cards. Place the cards randomly on a surface and have your child flip over a card, one by one, and then see how many pairs they can correctly match.

Lesson 8: Read and Draw

To connect phonics skills to reading comprehension, this phonics read-and-draw activity is simple and only requires a pencil and paper. Write out simple sentences using words that follow phonics patterns your child is familiar with. Have them read the sentence and then draw a picture to illustrate what it means. For example, “The dog ran” or “A ball is flat.” This is a great mini-lesson and practice for children who enjoy art and are gaining new reading skills quickly.

More Resources for Parents Helping Their Kids Learn Phonics

To help you and your child get the most out of simple, time-saving phonics lessons like the ones mentioned above, check out the resources recommended by Phonics.org.

Phonics learning apps: Many free and affordable learning apps incorporate phonics lessons to give your child a variety of tools to practice with. Digital phonics programs are a great way to supplement classroom and face-to-face learning!
Printable worksheets: You can find educational worksheets to print out at home for more phonics practice with your child.
Decodable books: Decodable books help your child reinforce the concepts they learn when beginning to read. Reading.com has many effective decodable books in its app which can make reading practice effective and fun.
Phonics program reviews: Find the best digital phonics lessons that can help your child master their early phonics skills. The Phonics.org reviews page contains honest, expert-vetter program reviews that assess usability, quality of instruction, and engagement.

Practicing phonics for ten minutes a day is better than no practice at all. So if your household is hectic and you think you can’t prioritize these lessons at home, don’t worry—you can do it! Start small, do a little bit daily, and use the resources available to you and your child.

To learn more about helping your child with their phonics education, follow us at Phonics.org to stay updated on the latest tips, program reviews, and research.

How to Compare Phonics Reviews and Choose the Best Program

phonicsorg on June 7, 2024

If you’re a teacher or parent of young readers, you’ve likely faced the overwhelming number of educational programs and apps on the market today. How do you choose the best phonics program when teaching children how to read and write?

Because phonics instruction plays such a critical role in children’s literacy development, choosing which programs and apps to use with your students is not a decision to take lightly. There are several core aspects to consider when comparing your options. In this article, we explain the top criteria to review and how to compare them so you can make informed decisions.

Continue reading to learn from the literacy experts at Phonics.org! Plus, discover some helpful phonics apps and programs that we’ve thoroughly reviewed for you already.

Criteria to Follow When Reviewing Phonics Programs

Whether you’re reading reviews for your own online research or writing a phonics review to share educational feedback, a few criteria can help you gain a full picture of the program. These include effectiveness, user engagement, overall usability, and other factors that determine whether or not a program is proven to support children’s reading success.

Knowing what to look for can mitigate confusion. Here are some of the criteria we suggest.

Quality of Phonics Instruction

There are different types of phonics programs that use different instructional approaches. Mainly:

Synthetic phonics teaches children to correspond letters with individual sounds, and how to blend them in print to form words.
Analytic phonics focuses on analyzing whole words to identify phonetic patterns.
Embedded phonics uses context clues and implicit reading to teach concepts “as needed.”
Analogy phonics focuses on using word patterns and word families to create “analogies” for new concepts.

Synthetic phonics instruction is widely recognized for its efficacy in reading instruction. Synthetic phonics uses single speech sounds to teach word-reading and spelling. Studies that have compared the different types of phonics, over time, have found synthetic phonics to be the most effective method. When looking for a phonics program, a focus on synthetic instruction is key.

Similarly, when comparing phonics reviews, it’s helpful to look at the program’s scope and sequence—how concepts are introduced and built upon. Research shows that systematic phonics instruction significantly improves reading skills, especially for young learners and struggling readers.

Bottom line: check if the program is explicit, systematic, and involves teacher guidance. It should involve regular assessments to monitor student progress. Feedback from educators and parents who have used the program can also help you learn about the program’s scope and sequence.

Alignment With Evidence-Based Practices

Evidence-based literacy instruction includes methods that have been proven effective through the science of reading. To determine if a phonics program aligns with these practices, consider whether or not it’s based on instruction that is supported by research and shows measurable success in reading development.

Check if it follows a structured, systematic approach and includes regular learning assessments. Read program reviews from literacy specialists on websites like Phonics.org to see which ones follow these principles, providing structured, research-backed instruction to support children’s literacy development.

By choosing programs that align with evidence-based instruction, you prevent your students from learning faulty reading methods that could stunt their reading development or cause them to fall behind.

Level of User Engagement

Content engagement is crucial for young learners as it keeps them motivated and interested in the learning process. For a good level of engagement in a phonics program, it should include interactive activities, multimedia elements, fun lessons, structured pace, and digital apps that balance entertainment with educational challenges. Programs that incorporate games, songs, and hands-on exercises tend to be more engaging.

To experience the engagement level for yourself, see if the program offers free trials or demos. Observe how children interact with the content and whether they remain focused and enthusiastic. Feedback from other parents and educators can also provide insights into the program’s ability to captivate and maintain children’s interest.

Overall Usability of the Program

Usability in the context of phonics programs refers to how easy and intuitive the program is for children and adults to navigate. Features of usability include ease of use, clarity of instructions, accessibility options, troubleshooting, and customer support.

When reading phonics program reviews, pay attention to what people say about the overall experience. If it’s a phonics app, does it have a user-friendly interface, clear and concise instructions, and accessible features for learners? Is the app’s customer support helpful, difficult, or non-existent? Gather more feedback on usability by reading reviews from independent education sites, talking with educators, or by trying the program yourself to see how smoothly it operates in practice.

Feedback from Existing Phonics Program Reviews

Reading user reviews lets you consider people’s subjective experiences with the program and notice patterns of these experiences. To find authentic reviews, explore different reading organizations, parent forums, and teacher blogs. Look for detailed feedback that discusses the strengths and weaknesses of each program.

Assess these reviews to identify common themes, such as functionality, bugginess, quality of literacy instruction, affordability, and engagement. This will help you make an informed decision about whether the program is suitable for your child’s or students’ needs.

Opportunities for Instructional Guidance

Effective phonics instruction requires ongoing support and professional development for teachers. Whether you’re a parent or educator, consider the level of adult guidance, program facilitator resources, and ongoing support provided by the app or program developer. This can help you deliver the educational activities effectively while engaging in your student’s literacy development.

Observations of Program Implementation

One of the best ways to evaluate a phonics program is to observe it in action. Look for opportunities to visit classrooms or schools where the program is being implemented. Download phonics apps and sign up for free trials of online programs so you can view the lessons for yourself.

Pay attention to how the lessons are structured, the level of engagement they provide from a child’s perspective, and the educator’s ability to effectively support the program’s instruction methods.

View the Latest Phonics Reviews at Phonics.org

Taking the time to read through different types of phonics program reviews is a necessary step in finding the right educational content to help students learn to read.

If you’re a parent, we hope these tips help you understand what to look for and what to stay away from so you can encourage your child to develop strong reading skills.

If you’re a teacher, we hope you not only benefit from reading phonics reviews but also feel encouraged to stay updated on the latest phonics programs and apps in development.

To stay up to date, join the community dedicated to improving literacy education at Phonics.org. Explore our latest phonics reviews, leave your own feedback, and send any phonics program recommendations you’d like to see reviewed! Together, we can support the development of strong readers through evidence-based phonics instruction.

10 Tips for Parents Teaching Phonics at Home

phonicsorg on March 29, 2024

Teaching phonics to kids is no easy feat. Reading and writing are complex skills that must be explicitly learned, practiced, and mastered over time if children are to become proficient readers.

Whether your child is learning phonics in their classroom or you’re educating them from home, a consistent and proven phonics program can have positive outcomes.

In this guide, we share practical tips on how parents can start teaching phonics at home—in ways that are proven to support kids’ development. Let’s dive in!

1. Create a Phonics Routine

The first thing you need to do if you want to teach phonics at home is to start an at-home phonics routine with your child.

Consistency is important not only for children’s emotional development but cognitive development as well. Practice, routine, and clear expectations help children feel more comfortable and confident in their everyday lives.

When learning something new such as phonics—even if it’s challenging—children benefit from daily routine. Whether it’s ten minutes or thirty minutes per day, a structured learning practice makes a big difference.

2. Read Aloud With Your Child

Read books to your child regularly when they’re little. As they learn basic phonics skills, read with them, making a point to include them in the reading process.

Let your child choose books they want to read with you
Welcome your child’s questions about the story and characters
Take turns reading and kindly correcting each other’s mistakes
Encourage active participation, using questions and real-world connections

When you read to (and with) your child, you model fluency and reinforce positive reading experiences. Even when you might not notice it, your child is “absorbing” a lot of useful information from reading aloud with you.

3. Prioritize Letters and Sounds

No matter what you include in your child’s phonics education at home, make it a priority to practice letter-sound correspondence.

This is the relationship between alphabetical letters and the sounds they represent in spoken language. It’s the fundamental basis of reading because essential skills like decoding rely on knowledge of letter sounds. To learn a few letter-sound teaching exercises, read this article from phonics.org.

4. Make Phonics Education Playful

Try playing some entertaining phonics games with your child to keep them interested and engaged. Kids typically learn best through play, so make this an opportunity to enjoy quality time together and strengthen those budding phonics skills.

For example, to focus on letter sounds, play games like “I Spy,” where you silently identify an item in your surroundings and give letter clues. For pineapple, you’d say: “I spy something that starts with <P>.”

5. Take a Multisensory Approach

Leverage the use of multiple senses during phonics instruction to go beyond sight and sound. Ideas include:

Tactile objects (foam letters, alphabet tiles, writing in sand)
Auditory cues (alphabet songs, nursery rhymes)
Physical movement (jumping/clapping along with syllables, letter hopscotch)

Sensory phonics games are especially helpful for kids who hate sitting still or those who need a break from focused “work” at a desk.

6. Apply Phonics to Everyday Life

Use real-life situations as opportunities for phonics instruction. Ask your child to sound out words on restaurant menus, find a specific letter on a street sign, point at labels in the grocery store, and do other fun quests.

7. Use Educational Technology

Learning phonics isn’t limited to print. Thanks to the development of digital learning today, some educational apps and resources can enhance your child’s phonics learning.

For kids who are digital natives, online phonics programs can be useful, beneficial, and fun. Put screen time to good use and choose a phonics app that implements proven instruction methods, engaging activities, and user-friendly experiences.

To find online apps that help kids learn to read, check out our phonics program reviews from literacy experts.

8. Extend Patience and Encouragement

Seeing your child progress in their phonics lessons is so exciting! It’s easy to provide words of praise when they’re doing so well. When a new concept or skill doesn’t come naturally, though, it’s even more important to extend patience to your child and offer encouragement.

According to Havard’s Center on the Developing Child, consistently encouraging children to learn through curiosity, play, and social interaction can have a direct impact on the level of intrinsic motivation they experience into adulthood. So in addition to words of encouragement, model curiosity to your child and show them it’s okay to make mistakes when learning.

9. Monitor Your Child’s Strengths and Weaknesses

Every child has strengths and weaknesses when it comes to literacy development. Regardless of their skill level or expected abilities for their age, it’s important to monitor their unique experience. That way, you can notice which areas they need more support in.

Ensure your child has a reading assessment to understand where they’re succeeding and if they need additional support. Generally, children are assessed or screened for reading difficulties three times a year – at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year. Some children may require additional help and could be monitored more frequently to track progress and next steps.

Some reading assessments are more reliable than others. The DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) is a reliable resource for this. Explore the DIBELS screening tips for parents and families.

10. Give Your Child the Support They Need

Adequate phonics instruction provides a solid foundation for kids to become avid learners. When children know how to read and write effectively, the world is theirs to discover. With these tips, we hope you can better support your child’s phonics journey at home.

An additional note: It’s worthwhile to acknowledge that sometimes, children may need more help than what we can offer as parents. If a student experiences underlying issues that result in reading difficulties—such as stress, learning disorders, or a behavioral struggle—those issues must be addressed. If you and your child’s teachers have tried everything but still notice little improvement, talk with a clinician or reading specialist.

No matter where your child is on their path to literacy, you can learn more reading education tips from our parent resources at phonics.org.

Common Phonics Mistakes to Avoid When Teaching

phonicsorg on March 15, 2024

Ahhh, phonics instruction. It’s such a special experience in a child’s education! Helping kids learn how to read and write is fascinating, rewarding, and developmentally necessary.

Unless it’s not.

If you’ve been trying to help your child or student(s) learn phonics but aren’t seeing reasonable progress, you may need to rethink some of the methods being used.

Nobody’s perfect. There’s always room for improvement, whether it be for students, teachers, or parents. However, several common phonics mistakes in teaching can result in ineffective (and sometimes, detrimental) learning outcomes.

Here are the mistakes to avoid so you can pivot your approach and equip your students with the literacy skills they deserve.

Neglecting Decoding

It used to be common practice in phonics to take a “top-down” approach, beginning with whole words and breaking them down. Some instruction methods today still focus on similar methods. Those involving memorization of whole words or sight words neglect the process of decoding (sounding out words using letter-sound knowledge). Plus, these top-down methods push students to guess words they don’t know, which comes with a whole other set of problems.

Decoding is the most practical and effective skill to teach early readers because it gives them a way to tackle unfamiliar words on their own while still welcoming guidance from parents and teachers. It builds confidence and provides an avenue to overcome new challenges as the child learns phonics.

Reading decodable books is one way that students can put their budding phonics skills to practice. These are books that follow concepts the child has been taught so far. Students can typically read decodable books with great accuracy and then move on to a more advanced book as they grasp new concepts.

Once decoding skills become quick and automatic, students can move onto reading phrases or short sentences. This movement from words to sentences builds fluency and confidence as kids advance from decoding words to sentences, and then whole passages.

Ignoring Vocabulary

Phonics instruction should always be connected with meaning. While children are learning to decode, always discuss the meaning of the words they are reading. Connecting words to meaning while decoding helps with memory and builds language comprehension skills.

It makes sense why: children can’t comprehend the text if they don’t know how to decode the words. At the same time, expanding their vocabulary has also been shown to improve reading development.

Introduce vocabulary words to your child or student so that when they decode new words in print, they’ll be able to successfully comprehend what they’re reading.

Advanced Phonemic Awareness Training

Some phonemic awareness skills, like segmenting and blending, are crucial in learning to read and spell. Several reading programs advise spending a great deal of time on building phonemic awareness skills. Sometimes this instruction is entirely oral and does not use written letters (graphemes).

A recent (2021) study found that “At present, recommendations to spend instructional time on advanced phonemic awareness training outside of print, or that students should develop “phonemic proficiency” to become proficient readers, are not evidence-based” (p. 31).

Focusing on important phonemic awareness skills such as segmenting and blending to spell and read words is advisable. This instruction is better when paired with letters (graphemes).

Lacking Consistent Review of Previous Instruction

If your instruction follows a scope and sequence, great job. To achieve mastery, students need to constantly go back and practice the skills they’ve already learned. You can’t just teach new skills and then move on.

Create opportunities for kids to practice the concepts they’re learning, being careful not to present a rule and then never bring it up again. Use lessons that contain the smallest concept (such as -at endings, -ack endings, or both) and scaffold them into more challenging words or even sentences if the child is at that level.

Repeated review gives students a chance to strengthen the main skills they’re focused on learning but also recall the simpler skills they learned previously.

Failing to Differentiate Instruction

Differentiation is crucial for many students, especially struggling readers or children with learning disabilities. While proven phonics strategies are effective for a majority of learners, not all kids obtain the required skills through standard lessons.

Parents and instructors can seek differentiated instruction to address a child’s learning needs. There are several ways to intervene and/or accommodate a student (or group of students) who may be struggling with phonics so they can still become successful readers. Options include multisensory learning, adapting how a lesson is taught, extending timed tests, or providing one-on-one support.

Following a Phonics Curriculum That Isn’t Explicit or Systematic

Most kids can’t learn to read on their own. The extensive science of reading has proven this. Students need explicit instruction—especially when developing fundamental literacy skills.

Avoid a type of phonics instruction that:

Requires rote memorization of whole words
Encourages guessing strategies via context cues (i.e. look at the picture to guess the word)
Fails to prioritize decoding skills
Disregards phonemic awareness practice
Relies heavily on sight words
Lacks consistent, effective instruction
Resists differentiated instruction options for struggling students

There are multiple approaches to teaching phonics, several of which can supplement students’ learning when used appropriately. But to instruct phonics in a way that most children can master, teaching must be systematic (following a sequential, logical order) and explicit (providing direct rules, explanations, and guided applications).

Phonics is complex. So, if this list of mistakes to avoid during instruction seems overwhelming, it’s because it can be!

That’s why we’re here.

To find more credible insights related to phonics and literacy development, explore the resources from phonics.org.