Why is Phonics Important for Kids?

All children begin their reading journey with one sound. A child needs to learn the sound of the letters before he or she can read a sentence or understand a story. 

Phonics is all about this! Phonics is not a school subject, it is the basis of reading and writing. Knowing how sounds work helps children to deduce new words. This enables them to be confident independent readers. 

We will discuss the importance of phonics, the best books to use and how to help your child learn phonics at home.

How Phonics Works – Sounds Before Words?

In Phonics children learn that each letter (or combination of letters) represents a particular sound. For instance, the letter B sounds like "buh" and the letter C sounds like "kuh. 

Once children recognise these sounds they can combine them to read words. So C + A + T becomes "cat". The blending skill is the core of phonics. 

Phonics helps children to read easily as they don't need to memorise all the words. Rather, they break words down into their sounds, a skill they will have for a lifetime.

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Why Phonics is the Best Way to Teach Reading?

Studies indicate that children who are taught phonics are reading better and faster than those who are not. Phonics provides children with a system, a way of thinking about words, that they can use for all new words they encounter. 

If there is no phonics, children take the guesswork out of words by looking at the pictures, or they learn them word by word. This is good for easy words, but becomes difficult with more challenging words. Children are equipped with the tools to tackle any word with phonics. 

Spelling is also enhanced by Phonics. If a child knows sounds, they can sound out words, rather than guess.

Table: Phonics Learning Stages by Age

Phonics Sound Books – Learning One Sound at a Time

A phonics sound book introduces one letter sound per page or per chapter. This gradual, gradual method allows young children to fully experience each sound before progressing to the next. 

Bright pictures, simple words and repetition in good phonics sound books help to make learning stick. A page for the letter S could display a sun, a snake and a sock, all of which begin with the "sss" sound. 

If children hear, see and say the same sound more than once, it will be remembered. That's why it is usually a phonics sound book that is the first book a parent should purchase for a young learner.

3 Letter Word Books – The First Step to Real Reading

After children have learned simple letter sounds, they need to learn to blend. 3 letter word books are created for this very time. Consonant, Vowel, Consonant words are used in these books to practice blending sounds together, and are short and simple. 

Words such as cat, bat, mat, sun, fun, dog, log and big are ideal for young readers. They're short enough to sound out slowly, but meaningful enough to feel like real reading. 

It's a big moment when a child reads their first full word from a 3 letter word book. They are proud, excited and want to read more. It's that sense of achievement that creates lifelong readers.

Table: Common 3-Letter Word Families

Parents may practise one word family every day. Point to the words, sound them out slowly and have your child repeat after you.

Phonics Reading Books – Building Confidence Page by Page

There are books to read in the phonics system that are different to regular story books. They are carefully written to ensure that all words on the page employ only the sounds the child has already learned. This is because children can read the book themselves, rather than simply listen to it. 

Each page of a phonics reading book is a small victory. The words are slightly more difficult as children progress through the levels, the sentences are longer and the stories are more interesting. This slow progress maintains children's interest and motivation. 

There are also reading books for phonics which enable parents to see exactly where their child is at in his/her reading journey. If a child has a problem with a page, it will indicate which sounds to practice more.

Phonics Books for Kids – What Makes a Good One?

Not all books are equal. There are some key characteristics of the best phonics books for children. They employ large, legible print to make it easy for little eyes to follow. They feature colorful illustrations that match the words on the page. They add sounds to words in a logical sequence, starting with easy sounds and moving onto more difficult sounds. And they feel fun, not like a test. 

A good phonics book is one that inspires a child to turn the pages. It's a little story about big skills.

Table: Best Phonics Books by Age and Level

How Parents Can Use Phonics Books at Home?

There is no need to be a teacher to assist your child with phonics. Read a sound book with a child every evening together as a family. Point to each letter and say the sound out loud. Next, use a 3 letter word book and have your child attempt sounding out the words. 

Limit sessions to 15 to 20 minutes (15 minutes for young children). Make it cheerful and relaxed. Praise your child when they get a word correct. If they are incorrect, gently correct them and continue. 

Consistency is key. A little phonics a day equals a lot of reading skills over time.

Conclusion

Phonics is not only important, it is essential. It helps children learn to read independently. Each step, starting with a phonics sound book, through 3 letter word book and to phonics reading book, creates a stronger and more confident reader. 

Use the most effective phonics books and read daily at home. One sound at a time, the time you spend on phonics today will make a difference in your child's future.