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Not Sure Where to Start?

Here's a basic step-by-step process for learning phonics sounds:


Start with Letter Sounds:


Begin by introducing the individual letter sounds of the alphabet. Use visual aids, stories, and songs to make it engaging.


In what order?


Jolly Phonics: s,a,t,i,p,n,c,k,e,h,r,m,d,g,o,u,l,f,b,j,z,w,v,y,x

Read Write Inc: m,a,s,d,t,i,n,p,g,o,c,k,u,b,f,e,l,h,r,j,v,y,w,z,x


Teach Short Vowels:


Focus on short vowel sounds (a, e, i, o, u). Use word families (e.g., -at, -et, -ig) to practice these sounds in context.


Introduce Digraphs and Blends:


Progress to digraphs (e.g., th, sh, ch, ai, oo, and ee), which are combinations of letters that create unique sounds, then introduce blends (with blends each letter still retains its original sound - e.g., bl, gr, st).


Cover R-Controlled Vowels and Diphthongs:


Teach sounds like ar, er, ir, or, ur and diphthongs like oi, oy, ou, ow.


Move to Long Vowels:


Introduce long vowel sounds (e.g., a-e, i-e, o-e) and demonstrate how they change the pronunciation of words.


Introduce Silent Letters and Consonant Combinations:


Explain when certain letters are silent (e.g., 'k' in 'knee') and how combinations like 'ph' make specific sounds.


Provide Plenty of Practice:


Use worksheets, games, and reading exercises to reinforce phonics skills. Encourage reading aloud.


Use Decodable Texts:


Provide reading materials specifically designed to reinforce phonics patterns and sounds.


Encourage Application in Context:


Have your child use their phonics knowledge to read sentences, paragraphs, and short stories.


Regularly take stock and make sure the pace and resources are meeting your child's needs.


Promote Reading for Pleasure:


Encourage a love for reading by providing a variety of interesting books and materials suited to their level.


Overall, be patient and provide positive reinforcement throughout the learning process.


Remember there is no single 'most effective' proven generally accepted order of teaching the components of Phonics. However, based on our research this is a solid basic outline, which can be modified as each parent individually sees fit based on their own research and their child's individual needs and progress.

The Importance of Phonics Sounds

Learning phonics sounds is crucial for developing strong reading skills. Here are just some of the reasons why it's important:


Decoding Words: Phonics helps your child decode words by breaking them down into individual sounds. This enables them to read unfamiliar words.


Spelling: Understanding phonics aids in spelling as it allows your child to sound out words and apply spelling rules.


Fluency: It improves reading fluency by enabling readers to recognize and read words quickly and accurately.


Vocabulary Expansion: Knowing phonics helps in recognizing the roots and affixes of words, which aids in understanding and building a larger vocabulary.


Comprehension: Phonics helps in understanding the meaning of words within the context of a sentence or a passage.


Phonemic Awareness: It develops phonemic awareness, which is the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds in spoken words.


Confidence: Mastering phonics boosts your child's confidence in their reading ability, making them more willing to tackle new and challenging texts.


Independent Reading: It empowers your child to read independently, as they can apply phonics skills to figure out new words.


Writing Skills: Understanding the sounds of letters and letter combinations aids in writing and composition.


Early Literacy Skills: Phonics is an essential foundation for early literacy, providing the skills necessary for future reading success.