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 how speech delays impact phonics learning and what parents can do to support children when articulation challenges affect their reading development.

Phonics and Speech Delays: When Articulation Affects Decoding

When your child mispronounces words during conversation, you might think it’s adorable—and it often...

MaxScholar review: Expert analysis of this Orton-Gillingham based reading intervention program designed for struggling readers and students with dyslexia.

MaxScholar – Orton-Gillingham Based Phonics & Reading Comprehension Review

A Research-Backed Reading Intervention Program That Puts Struggling Readers First Are you curious about...

Discover why ChatGPT and AI tools can't replace systematic phonics instruction for early readers.

ChatGPT for Phonics: Why AI Can’t Replace Systematic Instruction

A frustrated parent sits at the kitchen table with their struggling six-year-old, laptop open...

Expert review of Imagine Learning's digital literacy suite for PreK-8. See our comprehensive analysis of instruction quality, usability, and engagement features.

Imagine Learning Digital PreK-8 Literacy Suite Review

A Comprehensive Platform That Emphasizes Language Development Alongside Literacy Skills Are you curious about...

Real districts are cutting phonics instruction despite research showing it's essential. Learn why this trend hurts children and what parents can do to protect their kids' reading success.

Why Some Reading Programs Are Abandoning Phonics (And Why That’s Wrong)

Walk into some elementary school classrooms today and you’ll witness a troubling trend. Teachers...

Explore our detailed IXL Reading app review. See how this data-driven platform scores on literacy instruction, engagement, and usability.

IXL Reading App Review

A Comprehensive Platform That Prioritizes Data Over Learning Experience Are you curious about how...

Discover why "natural reading" is a myth debunked by science. Learn why systematic phonics instruction is essential for all children to become successful readers.

Debunking ‘Natural Reading’: Why Phonics Isn’t Optional

A well-meaning parent watches their 4-year-old “read” their favorite bedtime story word-for-word, flipping pages...

Explore the 2025 updates to phonics research since the National Reading Panel. See what science reveals about reading instruction.

The 2025 National Reading Panel Update: What’s Changed in Phonics Research?

Has our understanding of phonics instruction changed since the landmark National Reading Panel Report...

Homer app review: Expert analysis of research-backed literacy program with synthetic phonics approach and parent-friendly features.

Learn with Homer App Review

A Research-Backed Reading Program That Puts Personalization First Are you curious about how other...

Phonics Museum app review: Expert analysis of this classical education-based phonics program from Veritas Press.

Phonics Museum App Review

A Classical Approach to Phonics in a Magical Museum Setting Are you curious about...

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…

Phonics and Speech Delays: When Articulation Affects Decoding

Phonics and Speech Delays: When Articulation Affects Decoding

When your child mispronounces words during conversation, you might think it’s adorable—and it often is! But what happens when those same articulation challenges show up during reading lessons? Many parents…

MaxScholar – Orton-Gillingham Based Phonics & Reading Comprehension Review

MaxScholar – Orton-Gillingham Based Phonics & Reading Comprehension Review

A Research-Backed Reading Intervention Program That Puts Struggling Readers First Are you curious about how other literacy apps measure up? Check out the other detailed literacy app reviews on phonics.org…

ChatGPT for Phonics: Why AI Can’t Replace Systematic Instruction

ChatGPT for Phonics: Why AI Can’t Replace Systematic Instruction

A frustrated parent sits at the kitchen table with their struggling six-year-old, laptop open to ChatGPT. “Can you help my child learn to read?” they type. Within seconds, the AI…

Imagine Learning Digital PreK-8 Literacy Suite Review

Imagine Learning Digital PreK-8 Literacy Suite Review

A Comprehensive Platform That Emphasizes Language Development Alongside Literacy Skills Are you curious about how other literacy apps measure up? Check out the other detailed literacy app reviews on phonics.org…

Why Some Reading Programs Are Abandoning Phonics (And Why That’s Wrong)

Why Some Reading Programs Are Abandoning Phonics (And Why That’s Wrong)

Walk into some elementary school classrooms today and you’ll witness a troubling trend. Teachers are putting away phonics workbooks. Reading programs are promoting “authentic literature experiences” over systematic letter-sound instruction. …

IXL Reading App Review

IXL Reading App Review

A Comprehensive Platform That Prioritizes Data Over Learning Experience Are you curious about how other literacy apps measure up? Check out the other detailed literacy app reviews on phonics.org to…

Debunking ‘Natural Reading’: Why Phonics Isn’t Optional

Debunking ‘Natural Reading’: Why Phonics Isn’t Optional

A well-meaning parent watches their 4-year-old “read” their favorite bedtime story word-for-word, flipping pages at just the right moments. The child has memorized every line perfectly, leading the parent to…

The 2025 National Reading Panel Update: What’s Changed in Phonics Research?

The 2025 National Reading Panel Update: What’s Changed in Phonics Research?

Has our understanding of phonics instruction changed since the landmark National Reading Panel Report of 2000? What does the latest research tell us about the most effective ways to teach…

Learn with Homer App Review

Learn with Homer App Review

A Research-Backed Reading Program That Puts Personalization First Are you curious about how other literacy apps measure up? Check out the other detailed literacy app reviews on phonics.org to make…

Phonics Museum App Review

Phonics Museum App Review

A Classical Approach to Phonics in a Magical Museum Setting Are you curious about how other literacy apps measure up? Check out the other detailed literacy app reviews on phonics.org…