For Teachers

Empower early readers to become students for life.

As an educator, you play a crucial role in children’s literacy development! Effective phonics instruction lays the foundation kids need to become curious, lifelong learners in the classroom and the world beyond.

Whether you’re considering which phonics instruction methods work best or looking for ways to introduce difficult concepts to students, phonics.org is here to support you.  

Phonics Resources for Teachers

When Should Kids Learn Phonics?

Every parent and educator wants the best outcome for their students. At the beginning...

Teaching Phonics for Writing Skills

Phonics is the basis of reading instruction. But it’s also equally as important for...

5 Findings That Prove Words Are Remembered in Phonological Memory

To read fluently, the brain pulls from a large sight word vocabulary that we’ve...

How to Help Kids Start Reading Multisyllabic Words

Learning how to read multisyllabic words is a big milestone during a child’s phonics...

children learning basic concepts in language

Basic Concepts in Language Development 

In language development, basic concepts are words that set the foundation for children’s learning....

How to Compare Phonics Reviews and Choose the Best Program 

If you’re a teacher or parent of young readers, you’ve likely faced the overwhelming...

phonetic sounds in the English language

Phonetic Sounds in the English Language 

Have you ever wondered why the English language can be so complex? While there...

learn how to teach spelling

How to Teach Spelling: Beginner Phonics Instruction

Spelling is a primary skill in phonics instruction and literacy development. It equips children...

sight words vs high frequency words

Sight Words vs. High-Frequency Words

During phonics instruction, children learn to sound out or “decode” words. With enough practice,...

letters and the brain noting how the brain learns to read

How the Brain Learns to Read

Reading is an advanced skill and a relatively new phenomenon among humans. While literacy...

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…

Text-to-Speech: Supporting Early Readers Through Assistive Technology

Text-to-Speech: Supporting Early Readers Through Assistive Technology

Ever watched a child’s face light up when they finally understand a story that previously seemed like an impossible code to crack? That’s the magic text-to-speech technology can bring to…

Supporting Early Writers: Connecting Phonics to Writing Development

Supporting Early Writers: Connecting Phonics to Writing Development

Ever watched a child laboriously sound out each letter as they attempt to spell a word on paper? That concentrated look—tongue slightly protruding, pencil gripped tightly—represents an incredible cognitive feat.…

Book Review: “A Bad Case of Stripes”

Book Review: “A Bad Case of Stripes”

David Shannon’s vibrant picture book “A Bad Case of Stripes,” tells the whimsical story of Camilla Cream, a young girl who cares too much about what others think. Her anxiety…

Practical Activities to Build Rhythm and Segmentation Skills

Practical Activities to Build Rhythm and Segmentation Skills

Teaching sound segmentation doesn’t require expensive materials or formal training—just enthusiasm and consistency! The key is to make these activities part of your daily routine and to keep them playful…

Cross-Linguistic Transfer in Reading

Cross-Linguistic Transfer in Reading

Does learning to read in one language help children learn to read in another? The answer is yes! Research shows that many reading skills can transfer between languages, a process…

Supporting Diverse Learners in Phonics Instruction

Supporting Diverse Learners in Phonics Instruction

Every classroom contains a unique tapestry of learners, each bringing their own strengths, challenges, and experiences to the process of learning to read. As educators, we must ensure that systematic…

Evidence-Based Differentiation Strategies for Phonics Instruction

Evidence-Based Differentiation Strategies for Phonics Instruction

Teaching phonics effectively means reaching every student in your classroom, regardless of their reading level or learning style. While research clearly shows that systematic, explicit phonics instruction is essential, the…

Debunking Learning Style Myths: What Parents Need to Know

Debunking Learning Style Myths: What Parents Need to Know

If you’ve ever heard someone say, “I’m a visual learner” or “My child learns best by doing,” you’re familiar with the concept of learning style myths. While these ideas are…

Phonics for Dyslexic Students: A Teacher’s Guide

Phonics for Dyslexic Students: A Teacher’s Guide

As educators, supporting students with dyslexia requires a deep understanding of evidence-based phonics instruction. Research consistently shows that systematic, explicit phonics instruction is not just helpful—it’s essential for dyslexic learners.…