02 Oct 2024
Understanding phonics
This guide will help you understand what phonics is, why it is important in learning to read, and how children can be supported at home to develop their awareness of sounds, and of the relationships between sounds and letters.
What is phonics?
Phonics is a method of teaching reading that focuses on the relationship between sounds and letters. It helps children decode words by teaching them to link specific sounds (called phonemes) to their corresponding letters or letter groups (called graphemes). By understanding these connections, kids can sound out new words and learn spelling patterns.
Phonics is one part of six foundational skills that make up a comprehensive reading program. The other essential skills that work together to build strong readers are:
- Oral Language: Using spoken words to express ideas.
- Phonemic Awareness: The ability to hear and identify individual sounds in spoken words.
- Vocabulary: Understanding the meaning of words.
- Fluency: Reading accurately, at a good pace, and with expression.
- Comprehension: The ability to understand and make meaning from what is read.
Why is phonics instruction so effective?
Research shows that phonics instruction is a highly effective way to teach children to read. It gives them the foundational tools to tackle unfamiliar words, build their reading fluency, and improve their reading comprehension.
In Australia, schools often use a systematic, synthetic phonics approach. This means children learn sounds and letter patterns in a structured order, from simple to complex. They then practice blending sounds together to read entire words.
How is phonics taught in schools?
A typical phonics lesson in a Victorian school might include a variety of methods to engage students. Key elements your child will learn are:
- Phonemes - the smallest units of sound (e.g., the /k/ sound in 'cat')
- Graphemes - the letters that represent these sounds (e.g., the letter 'c' in 'cat')
- Blending - combining sounds to read a word (e.g., /c/ - /a/ - /t/ = 'cat')
- Segmenting - breaking a word down into its sounds to help with spelling
What might a phonics lesson at school look like?
Teachers use multisensory methods involving sight, hearing, and touch, to make learning hands-on and memorable. This might include daily practice, reading books, dictation exercises, and engaging activities.
Your child’s teacher will use a range of ways to engage your child in a lesson on phonics. A typical lesson might include various combinations of the following and other methods:
- Daily practice: this incorporates short, focused lessons on the key elements of phonics outlined above, that build on previous learning
- Reading: students practice reading a variety of books that include words with sounds that the students have been taught
- Dictation: the teacher reads a sentence that includes taught sounds or spelling patterns aloud and students practice spelling and writing the sentence
- Multisensory methods: phonics is often taught using visual (sight) auditory (hearing), and tactile (touching) methods (e.g., saying sounds, tracing letters)
How long does phonics instruction last?
Formal phonics instruction typically begins in early childhood education (Foundation) and intensifies up to around Year 2 or 3. The goal is to build the skills a child needs to read fluently and independently. Some children may need more time, and that's perfectly normal.
What if my child is struggling?
If you're concerned about your child's progress with phonics, the best first step is to speak with their teacher. They can provide targeted support and suggest strategies to help your child succeed.
How can families help with phonics?
The best way to support your child's phonics learning is to make it fun! Encourage them to keep trying, celebrate their progress, and show them that reading is a rewarding skill.
6 fun phonics activities to do at home
- Read together: Choose books your child enjoys and read them aloud
- Phonics bingo: Create bingo cards with letters or sounds
- I Spy: Play "I spy" by focusing on the starting sound of a word (e.g., "I spy something that begins with the sound /s/")
- Sensory trays: Have your child trace letters in sand or salt while saying the corresponding sound
- Playdough letters: Form letters with playdough and sound them out
- Rhyme time: Read nursery rhymes and poems together. This helps children recognize sound patterns and rhyming words.
Download our printable phonics guide for a full list of ideas to put on your fridge!
Download our printable phonics guide for a full list of ideas to put on your fridge!
Download
Resources
- Cairney, T. (2024). Literacy, families and Learning. Blogspot.com
- Castles, A., Parrila, R., &Kohnen, S. (2024). What is phonics and why is it used to teach reading? The Conversation
- Independent Schools Victoria. (2024). Phonics: A guide for parents. The Parents Website
- Literacy Hub. (2023). The big six of literacy: A guide for families.
Acknowledgement
The Academy is grateful to Parents Victoria for their expert advice in producing this guide.
This document has been prepared by the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership (the Academy).
- The Academy reserves any moral rights of integrity in this text and publishes it on the basis that it may be used, provided it is not altered or adapted for use without the express permission of the Academy.
- Please note that the Further Reading (References) section is provided for attribution only and not subject to the terms of the Creative Commons Licence. No representations are made as to the accessibility or copyright ownership of the publications listed and they are solely provided as alternative sources of knowledge relevant to the topic.
- Content edited and up-to-date as of October 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is phonics and how is it different from other reading methods?
Phonics is a teaching method that links sounds (phonemes) to letters (graphemes) to help children decode words. Unlike methods that rely on memorising whole words, phonics gives children a system to sound out new words on their own. It is one of six key components that make up a complete reading program.
Why is phonics instruction so important for children?
Research shows that systematic phonics instruction is a highly effective way to teach children to read. It provides them with the foundational skills needed to decode unfamiliar words and understand spelling patterns. This, in turn, helps them build reading fluency and comprehension, setting them up for long-term reading success.
How can I help my child with phonics at home?
You don't need to be a teacher to help! The best way is to make it fun and part of your daily routine. Simple activities like playing "I Spy" with sounds, reading rhyming books, and pointing out letters on signs can reinforce what they learn at school. The key is to make it engaging and low-pressure.
How long does it take for a child to learn phonics?
Formal phonics instruction typically begins in their foundation year and continues until around Year 2 or 3, but the exact timeline varies for each child. The goal is for them to become a fluent, independent reader. Some children may need more time and practice, which is completely normal.
What if my child is struggling with phonics?
If you notice your child is having difficulty, the best first step is to talk to their teacher. They can provide insight into your child's progress and suggest specific strategies or resources. Some children benefit from a more individualised approach or extra practice to build their confidence.
Discover more resources
Tools and materials to support the teaching of reading and phonics in Victorian schools.
