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

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…

Phonics for Kids: Age-Appropriate Activities for Early Readers

Phonics for Kids: Age-Appropriate Activities for Early Readers

Learning to read is one of the most significant milestones in a child’s early development. Behind every confident reader is a foundation of strong phonics skills—the ability to connect letters…

How Open and Closed Syllables Build Strong Readers

How Open and Closed Syllables Build Strong Readers

Ever watched a young reader encounter a long, unfamiliar word? They might stare at it, attempt to sound it out letter by letter, or simply skip it entirely. What if…

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.…

Digital vs. Traditional Phonics: What Research Says

Digital vs. Traditional Phonics: What Research Says

If you’re a parent of a child struggling with reading skills, you’ve likely found yourself standing at a crossroads. In one direction lies the familiar path of traditional phonics instruction—print…

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…