Uncovering the Secrets of Phonics Instruction: A Guide to Getting Started
- Sangeetha
- Apr 13
- 2 min read
1. Begin with Sounds, Not Letters
Start by helping your child tune in to sounds in everyday words.
Say: “I spy something that starts with the /b/ sound.”
Clap out syllables in names: A-ravh = 2 claps
2. Teach Letter Sounds (Not Names)
Focus on the sound a letter makes — for example, “/m/” instead of “em.”
Use lowercase letters first
Associate letters with sounds using images or stories
3. Blend Sounds to Form Words
Once your child knows a few sounds, begin blending them to read simple CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) words.
Example: s-a-t → sat
4. Move to Digraphs and Long Vowels
Once your child is comfortable with single sounds:
Introduce digraphs like sh, ch, th, ng
Start teaching long vowel patterns like ai, ee, oa ,ie ,ue
Take it slow , one new sound at a time works best.
5. Teach Tricky Words (Sight Words)
Some words cannot be sounded out, like the, was, said. These are called tricky or high-frequency words.
Read simple stories with repeated use of tricky words
A Simple Daily Routine for Phonics Practice (Just 10 Minutes!)
🔁 2 minutes: Review known sounds
🧠 3 minutes: Practice blending or segmenting words
✍ 3 minutes: Spelling or writing with the sound of the day
📚 2 minutes: Read a short phonics-based sentence or story
Short, regular sessions work much better than long lessons.
Final Thoughts
Teaching phonics at home does not have to be stressful. With the right approach, it can be a joyful bonding time that sets your child up for success.
Remember , it is not about perfection. It is about consistency, encouragement, and celebrating small wins every day.
💡 Looking for Ready-to-Use Phonics Resources?
At Klariti, we offer phonics books specially designed with systematic approach. Whether you are starting with letter sounds or moving on to blends and digraphs its covered.
👉 Explore our phonics resources here
👉 Follow us on Instagram for daily phonics tips here
Signing off, Sangeetha
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