Phonicssounds make words.

Phonics teaches children that letters stand for sounds, and that sounds blend into words. Systematic phonics teaching is one of the best-researched ways to help children learn to read.

Letter sounds first

Teach the sound a letter makes (/m/, not “em”). Start with letters that can be stretched: m, s, f, a.

Blend

Say the sounds and slide them together: /c/ /a/ /t/ … cat. Short three-letter CVC words are the first step.

Segment for spelling

The reverse of blending: hear a word and pull its sounds apart to spell it.

Write what you hear

Writing letters while saying their sounds ties phonics and handwriting together.

Games

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