Demystifying Phonics: A Parent's Guide with the Phonics Fairy [Ep 72]

Understanding Phonics for your child’s reading

Many parents find themselves mystified by the term “phonics.” It’s a crucial skill for children learning to read, yet if you’re not involved in the education sector, you might not know much about it. Starting school with no understanding of phonics can be overwhelming for both parents and their children.

This episode with guest Amy, also known as the Phonics Fairy, helps to break down what phonics is and how you can help your child grow in reading.

In this episode about phonics:

Understanding the Basics

Phonics is essentially the relationship between the letters on a page and the sounds those letters represent. At its simplest, phonics begins with teaching single letter sounds, such as B and D. From there, children move on to blending these sounds to form words. For instance, knowing ‘d’, ‘o’, ‘g’ and blending them back together to read ‘dog’.

The Phases of Learning to Read

Early Stages

The journey of learning to read starts with understanding single letter sounds and then blending these sounds to form simple words, known as CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) words. For example, blending ‘m-u-d’ to form ‘mud’.

Advanced Blending

As your child progresses, they encounter digraphs, where two letters make one sound, like ‘ch’ in ‘chin’ or ‘sh’ in ‘ship’. This is followed by more complex words that may have four or five sounds.

Vowel Digraphs and Speed

Vowel digraphs, such as ‘ay’ in ‘play’ or ‘ai’ in ‘snail,’ come next. By the end of Year One, children should be able to decode these combinations. From Year Two onwards, the focus shifts to reading fluency, where understanding and enjoying texts become priorities.

Preparation Before School

Preparation for phonics and reading begins long before school starts. Reading stories to your child from a very young age immerses them in the rhythm and structure of language they won’t hear in everyday conversations. Nursery rhymes, poems, and consistent, talkative interactions are crucial.

Engaging Preschool Activities

For preschoolers, focus on oral blending through games like “I spy” with sounds. This helps them understand that words are made up of individual sounds (phonological awareness), building a strong foundation before they see and learn letters.

Supporting School-Age Children

Once your child starts school, collaboration with their teacher becomes vital. Knowing the phonics program and the sounds they are learning can help you practice at home. It’s about repetition and making phonics a fun, everyday part of life rather than a chore.

The Importance of Practice and Routine

Introducing reading books should be approached gradually. Some children may not bring home a reading book until they can confidently blend sounds they’ve learned in school. Balancing reading practice between school and home is key without making it overwhelming.

Tips for Busy Parents

Incorporating reading and phonics practice into daily routines can make a big difference. Morning reading sessions, quick car ride sessions, or short evening practices can keep it enjoyable and stress-free.

Above all, consistency in reading to your child, even from infancy, lays the groundwork for their reading journey. High-quality picture books and stories enhance their language skills and comprehension. Remember, the ultimate goal is to foster a love for reading and understanding, and that’s something that starts with you.

More about Amy

I’m Amy, otherwise known as the Phonics Fairy. I have been a phonics consultant for over 10 years and have worked in some of the most socially deprived areas in the UK helping schools to teach children to learn to read. Just over a year ago, I spotted a gap; parents don’t often know how their kids are being taught to read. My mission is simple… to de-mystify phonics for parents.

Links mentioned in this episode about phonics:

Phonics Fairy Instagram:@phonicsfairy

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Content Disclaimer

The information contained above is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this episode are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast. Sarah Travers disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this episode.

Demystifying Phonics: A Parent’s Guide with the Phonics Fairy [Ep 72]