What is phonics?
Phonics is the understanding that there is a relationship between letters and sounds through written language. Individuals use the understood phonics relationship to be able to not only read words, but also write words. With explicit and systematic phonics instruction, an individual will be able to recognize and decode words with automaticity. Phonics instruction is an important component of a child's early and later literacy success.
| Armbruster, Bonnie B., et al. Putting Reading First: the Research Building Blocks for Teaching Children to Read: Kindergarten through Grade 3. National Institute for Literacy, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, U.S. Dept. of Education, 2003. |
What does research say about phonics?
Researchers found that systematic and explicit phonics instruction is more effective than no phonics instruction, or non-systematic instruction. With this type of instruction, individuals are receiving direct and systematic letter-sound relationship experiences. If students begin receiving explicit and systematic instruction at an early age, researchers believe a child's word recognition and spelling is significantly improved. It has also been proven that this type of phonics instruction also improves a child's reading comprehension. When students are facing reading difficulties, it is most beneficial for a child to be taught in an explicit and systematic phonics instruction environment.
| Armbruster, Bonnie B., et al. Putting Reading First: the Research Building Blocks for Teaching Children to Read: Kindergarten through Grade 3. National Institute for Literacy, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, U.S. Dept. of Education, 2003. |
What strategies can I use to teach phonics?
The most important strategy to use when teaching phonics is to always make sure phonics instruction is systematic and explicit. Another important strategy to think about when teaching phonics is making sure the child can say and write the letter-sound correspondence during the instruction. Many opportunities should be available for students to apply their phonics knowledge to their reading and writing activities. Your child's reading comprehension depends on the type of phonics instruction they have been taught, please contact me if you have any questions!
| Armbruster, Bonnie B., et al. Putting Reading First: the Research Building Blocks for Teaching Children to Read: Kindergarten through Grade 3. National Institute for Literacy, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, U.S. Dept. of Education, 2003. |
Below I have linked a very engaging and free instructional video. There are many more Meet the Phonics videos on YouTube, if phonics is an area where your child is struggling, please look into these videos!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUvlnKMSVDQ