Why is it essential to learn phonics in English?
Phonics in English are letter sounds. A word in English, when you read is bunch of sounds (blended) coming from our mouth. Phonics helps kids relate letter and its sound relationship which in turn will help in reading English.
Every alphabet has a sound, and when children learn to connect letters with their sounds, they unlock the secret code of reading. For example, the letter “c” can make a hard sound like in cat or a soft sound like in city. By understanding these relationships, children can sound out words instead of guessing them, which gives them a strong foundation for lifelong literacy.
When Is the Best Time to Start?
Phonics can be introduced as early as preschool, around ages 3–4, when children begin recognizing letters and showing curiosity about words. At this stage, learning should feel playful—through songs, rhymes, and hands-on activities—rather than formal lessons. If your child is in kindergarten or early primary, phonics is even more essential, as it supports smooth reading development before they move into complex texts.
Practice Letter Sound Worksheets
Recommended Books for a Structured Phonics Approach
While worksheets and activities are great for practice, having a structured guide helps parents teach step by step without confusion. A few phonics books I recommend for home learning include:
The Jolly Phonics Pupil Book 1
The Jolly Phonics Pupil Book 1 by Sue Lloyd and Sara Wernham is a trusted choice for parents who want a well-structured and enjoyable start to phonics for children aged 4 and above. This book introduces the 42 main letter sounds of English, each taught with its own engaging story and action, making learning memorable and fun. Step by step, children are guided to use their sound knowledge to read and write simple regular words, giving them an immediate sense of achievement. It also gently introduces the first set of tricky words, helping children recognize and blend sounds while identifying the parts that don’t follow regular phonics rules. Designed with fun lesson activities, this book makes the early stages of reading and writing both effective and exciting for young learners.
- Phonics-Based Learning: Jolly Phonics is a systematic phonics program that teaches children to read and write using synt…
- Multi-Sensory Approach: It employs a multi-sensory approach, incorporating actions, songs, and stories to engage childre…
- Structured Progression: The program introduces phonics sounds in a specific order, starting with the easiest and most fr…
Just Phonics Box Set – A Fun Start to Phonics for Ages 3–5
Teaching phonics at home doesn’t have to feel overwhelming—especially with the Just Phonics Box Set of 4 Books, Brain Boosting Activity Book, and Early Learning Combo Set. Specially designed for children aged 3–5, this set takes your child step by step from learning the 26 letter sounds to the full range of 42 phonics sounds. Using a multi-sensory, spiral approach, the books help little learners not only hear but also see and practice the shape and formation of each sound, making recognition natural and easy. One of the biggest advantages for parents is that blending of simple CVC words is introduced early, so your child can quickly begin to read real words with confidence. Moving from Junior Infants to Senior Infants, these books provide a complete path for early reading success—making phonics fun, effective, and easy to teach at home. I personally recommend this set for parents who want to give their children a strong start in reading.
- Phonics Sound Book for children
- Phonics books for 2-3 year old
- Junior Infants (26 letter sounds) helps in self correction.
What’s more, parents have the flexibility to purchase these books individually depending on their child’s stage and learning needs. Whether you’re just beginning with letter sounds, focusing on blending, or ready to advance to more complex phonics, you can choose the exact book that fits your child’s level—making phonics teaching both affordable and adaptable.
- Just Phonics (26 Letter Sounds) and Activity Books follow the letter and Sound Sequence class Junior Infants.
- Just Phonics Activity Book (Education primary Phonics Programme) and follow the letter and Sound Sequence(Senior Infants))
- Just Phonics book for kids for 5 years (Education primary Phonics Programme Class 1st) and follow the letter and Sound Sequence
- Just Phonics: Brain Boosting Activity Book Class 2nd, Match the Pair, Find the Difference, Maze, Crossword