Phonics 101
Reading champs start here — a collection of phonics resources.
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 — and those skills are rooted in phonics.
Best Resources for Teaching Phonics Skills
A curated booklist that pairs great children's literature with the phonics skills each story reinforces.
Read morePhonics Fundamentals: An Introduction
The essentials in one place — what phonics is, why explicit instruction works, and the milestones children move through.
Read the guidePhonics Instruction Methods
How the main approaches compare, including synthetic and analytic phonics, and what they mean for teaching.
Read the guideTop-Rated Phonics Apps
How our experts evaluate phonics apps, and which ones earn the highest marks for instruction and engagement.
Explore reviewsThe Ultimate List of Phonics App Reviews
Our full, regularly updated roundup of reviewed phonics apps, all in one place.
See the listAges 3–4: Pre-Phonics Foundations
Playful, age-appropriate activities that build the early sound awareness reading depends on.
Read moreAges 5–7: Resources for Struggling Students
What to do when a young reader needs more than core instruction, and how to step support up.
Read moreLearn Phonics Through Read-Alouds
How to use picture books and read-alouds to teach phonics skills in a natural, engaging way.
Read morePhonics for Teachers
Classroom-ready instruction, planning, and lesson guidance for educators teaching phonics.
Go to For TeachersPhonics for Parents
Practical, no-jargon ways to support your child's reading at home, at every age and stage.
Go to For ParentsFrequently asked questions
What is phonics, exactly?
Phonics is the method of teaching the relationship between the sounds of speech and the letters that represent them — the foundation children use to decode and spell words.
Why does phonics instruction matter?
Explicit, systematic phonics gives children a reliable strategy for reading unfamiliar words, which research links to stronger reading outcomes.
When should children start learning phonics?
Early sound and letter play can begin in the preschool years, with formal phonics instruction typically starting in the first years of school.
Related Sections
Phonics Skills
Individual decoding skills from letter sounds and CVC words through vowel teams and syllable types.
Explore Skills →
Struggling Readers
Intervention, dyslexia-informed support, multilingual considerations, and progress monitoring.
Explore Support →
Science of Reading
The research behind how children learn to read, and what it means for instruction.
Explore Research →