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Favorite Phonics Games, Apps, and Websites | Common Sense Education

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We sound off on the best bets for helping kids sound out words. Explore this Favorite Phonics Games, Apps, and Websites Top Picks list of 17 tools curated by Common Sense Education editors to find relevant and engaging edtech solutions for your classroom.

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Activities, games, and lessons that help students learn early reading, spelling, and verbal skills

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Wiley Blevins has taught elementary school in both the United States and South America and is currently Editorial Specialist for Early Reading at Scholastic, Inc. The author of several books on phonics instruction, Wiley has used his expertise to answer teacher's most frequently asked questions about phonics.

Question 1: What is phonics?

Phonics involves the relationship between sounds and their spellings. There are 26 letters in English and approximately 44 sounds. However, most sounds have more than one spelling. For example, the long a sound can be spelled by the letter combinations like ai as in rain and ay as in play. The goal of all phonics instruction is teaching our students the most common sound-spelling relationships so that they can decode, or sound out, words.

Question 2: How is phonics different from phonemic awareness?

Phonemic awareness is the understanding that words are made up of sounds. Phonemic awareness is not the same thing as phonics. Phonemic awareness deals with sounds in spoken words, whereas phonics involves the relationship between sounds and written symbols. Therefore, phonics deals with learning sound-spelling relationships and is associated with print. Most phonemic awareness tasks, however, are purely oral.

Question 3: The goal of reading is making meaning from text. So, how is phonics related to comprehension?

Phonics instruction plays a key role in helping children comprehend text. You see, phonics instruction helps the child to map sounds onto spellings. This ability enables children to decode words. Decoding words aids in the development and improvement in word recognition. The more words a reader recognizes, the easier the reading task. Therefore, phonics instruction aids in the development of word recognition by providing children with an important and useful way to figure out unfamiliar words while reading.

When children begin to be able to recognize a large number of words quickly and accurately, reading fluency improves. Reading fluency refers to the ease with which children can read a text. As more and more words become firmly stored in a child's memory (that is, the child recognizes more and more words on sight), he or she gains fluency and automaticity in word recognition. To learn words by sight, it's critical that students have many opportunities to decode words in text. The more times a reader encounters a word in text, the more likely he or she is to recognize it by sight and to avoid making a reading error.

Reading fluency improves reading comprehension. Since children are no longer struggling with decoding words, they can devote their full attention (their mental energies) to making meaning from text. As the vocabulary and concept demands increase in text, children need to be able to devote more and more attention to making meaning from text, and increasingly less attention to decoding. If children have to devote too much time to decoding words, their reading will be slow and labored. This will result in comprehension difficulties.

Question 4: What should students be taught at each grade level?

The expectations keep rising for our students. In many states now, kindergarteners are expected to be reading simple CVC words, such as cat and ran, by the end of the year. I recommend that kindergarten teachers focus on teaching their students the alphabet and the most common sound-spelling for each letter. Students need to master this by the end of the year. In addition, I recommend teaching at least 20 sight words and how to blend simple CVC words. In grade 1, the majority of the phonics skills should be formally taught. This includes short vowels, consonant blends, consonant digraphs, final e, long vowels, r-controlled vowels, and diphthongs. The focus of instruction in grades 2 and 3 is to consolidate students' phonics skills. That includes attention to fluency with basic sound-spellings taught in grade 1, formal lessons on decoding two- and three-syllable words, and work with larger word chunks such as phonograms. Above grade 3, the focus of instruction should be on multisyllabic words. It's essential for children to have formal instruction on the 6-syllable types, prefixes, suffixes, and Greek and Latin roots.

Question 5: What does a good phonics lesson look like?

A good phonics lesson begins with an explicit explanation of the sound-spelling being taught. For example, when teaching the letter s you would say "The letter s stands for the /s/ sound as in sad." Be sure to clearly pronounce the sound. Then write the spelling on the board. Have students chorally say the sound as you point to the spelling. This choral response is also a hallmark of a good phonics lesson. We want all students active and engaged throughout the lesson. Other characteristics of good phonics lessons include guided opportunities for students to blend, or sound out, words using the new sound-spelling. Therefore, I advise writing a series of words containing the new sound-spelling on the board, then modeling how to blend the sounds together to read the words. Follow this up with guided and independent reading practice in text that contains words with the new sound-spelling. This text should be at the students' reading level.

Question 6: What about my students who struggle with reading? What can I do?

For students who struggle with decoding, often too much is taught too fast. It is important to find out what phonics skills the student possesses. Then begin instruction at a comfortable starting point. Using a phonics survey, such as the one included on this Web site. Then re-teach those skills that students struggle with. Work at a pace that allows students to achieve mastery. Remember, the goal is teaching to mastery rather than just exposure. And provide loads of decodable text reading practice. Students can never get enough opportunities reading easy texts that contain many words with newly taught sound-spellings. Repeated readings of these texts will also be helpful.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Phonics | Scholastic

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Wiley Blevins has taught elementary school in both the United States and South America and is currently Editorial Specialist for Early Reading at Scholastic, Inc. The author of several books on phonics instruction, Wiley has used his expertise to answer teacher's most frequently asked questions about phonics. Question 1: What is phonics?

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How to Practice Phonics With Kids at Home

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Support your child’s reading success at home with these 6 tips on how to teach phonics to kids.

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ABCya! * Kindergarten Learning Games, Ages 5 - 6

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Kids LOVE our free online games! Race cars, meet cuddly penguins, and explore while practicing counting, sight words, and more kindergarten skills. Play now!

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If your child is starting to read and still seems unsure, review the alphabet and letter sounds. Next, look at short CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) words (top, cat, fog and so on) and have your child break them apart into their individual sounds. Then blend these sounds back together (/t/ /o/ /p/; top).
A little practice can lead to great improvement

Talk or play games about letter sounds for a few minutes each day. While driving, give your child a 2 letter word or 3 letter word to spell (like it, in, rip, top, and ). Keep the activities fun and light so kids can enjoy a quick challenge and get a boost of confidence from practicing one skill a day.

We Love Reading!

Remember, we want children to develop a love of reading, so focus on reading the books they enjoy over and over again. We don't want to ever frustrate children with the "mechanics," such as drilling letter sounds to the point of tears. The goal of reading is to understand the story; phonics will help kids sound out words quickly to comprehend what they read.

Be a Word Detective
What sound does each letter make in this word on the cereal box? Research suggests that seeing print, saying the sounds, and hearing the sounds while pointing at the letter with a parent or teacher has the greatest impact on learning "phonemic awareness" or sounds.
Look Around!
Start by making sure your child knows every upper and lower case letter in the alphabet. Write down for yourself which letters they know and don't know so you can keep track. Find the letters in natural settings, like on a poster at the movie theatre. Ask if your child can say the letter name and letter sound they see. "What is the name of this movie? What letter does it start with? The letter m, you're right! I'm going to try to read the word: Mmmmmminions. Did you hear the mmmm sound?" Help them if they don't know the answer. Children are naturally curious about the print they see all around them, so use it as a meaningful "teachable moment".
Why?

Remind your child often that we're learning letter sounds so that we can read everything around us. "It's like learning to ride a bike-in the beginning Mom might have needed to remind you to push the pedals with your feet and balance on the seat, but now you can ride down the street by yourself. We practice so you can read on your own!"

Stick Writing

Using a stick from outside, trace letters in dirt or sand. Tell your child easy two-letter words and see if they can sound them out, such as "it", "no", "at"

Write a Word Family

Using a red crayon write a short word like "can". Then ask your child to think of 2 more words that rhyme with "can" and write them under "can" using a different color crayon.
tan
The H Brothers
Explain to your child that sometimes two letters will stand together to create one new sound. The "h brothers" join with other letters to make the sounds: sh, ch, th, wh and ph .
Th is can be confusing for kids, so make sure to write an example word and use gestures to help them remember the new letter combination.

: touch your chin making the "ch" sound

Make the "shushing" sound while holding your finger to your mouth

: bite into some white or wheat bread

: Pretend to talk on your invisible phone

Pick a Letter!

Practicing phonics can feel tedious, so it's important to find ways to make it fun, simple and quick. Next time you have a scrap of paper write three letters on it, for example b, s, and t. Have your child say each letter and its sound. Then ask, "What's the first letter you hear in 'table'?" Give them one point for each word they get right, and tell them to try to earn five points.

Letter Scramble

Draw three boxes side by side on a piece of paper. Using magnetic letters or letters written on small strips of paper, scramble the letters of a three-letter word (use a CVC word, consonant-vowel-consonant: wig, sat, cup, run ) under the boxes. Have your child unscramble the letters and place them into the correct box.

Listen to Your Child Read Daily

In the beginning it will be hard work for your child to "decode" or sound out the words they see in books for Kindergartners. Have them use their favorite stuffed animal, finger puppet or action figure to help them sound out a tough word. The toy can either listen or they can pretend that the toy is reading.

Reread books over and over

Your child might want to read the same story every night. Try to stay excited about reading by being enthusiastic. Remember to point to words as you read and enunciate the different sounds in words. "The pirate ssshhhhip is setting sail!" Remind your kids that your voice should sound natural, like you're talking to a friend when you read.

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Kindergarten Phonics Skills | Kindergarten Phonics Activities

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If your child is starting to read and still seems unsure, review the alphabet and letter sounds. Next, look at short CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) words (top, cat, fog and so on) and have your child break them apart into their individual sounds. Then blend these sounds back together (/t/ /o/ /p/; top).

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Phonics games and lessons plus more for all subjects.

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At Starfall, children have fun while they learn. Educational games, movies, books, songs, and more for PreK and Kindergarten learners.

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Because every child deserves the best, our core resources are free with every Teacher Account. When you are ready, trial our no-prep Phonics Lessons or Child Accounts.

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Based on the Science of Reading

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We've made our core resources free then, for less than a monthly cup of coffee, you can purchase our add-ons to rocket-power your students' learning.

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For the Savvy Phonics Teacher

Built for teachers who want more than "an app"; who want to actively manage and monitor their students' online phonics learning.

Practise Phonics Foremost, Not Gaming Skills

Are your digital resources testing phonics skills or hand-eye coordination? Our phonics games strike the perfect balance between learning to read and game-play.

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"Love it, love it, love it" is the feedback we hear time and time again. We keep every child engaged with our unique, varied and a-little-bit-whacky games, which are wrapped up in captivating superhero storyline!

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Free Resources for Teachers | Phonics Hero

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Phonics Hero has over 1,000 free teacher resources. Access over 850 games, 200 worksheets and dozens of assessment resources. All completely free!

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For Assessment

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Kiz Phonics Learning to Read Program for Children - Course Plan. This page is a layout of the structure of our phonics program. This is a general guide on how to progressively teach your child to learn to read. However, mindful of the fact that every child is different, you can always adapt the program according to your child's unique needs. You will find links to Phonics Worksheets, Phonics Videos, Phonics Games Online & Listening Materials, which have all been designed to help your child learn to read. It is suitable for school teachers and home-school parents. If you are simply looking for extra resources, then use the search tool above to help you quickly find your way around.

Preschool Phonics - Ages 3-4

Learning to read starts here. From as low as 3 years, your child needs to build the following skills that will prepare him/her for reading. Print Awareness and Phonemic Awareness are the hallmarks of this level. We provide the following types of resources:

Kindergarten Phonics L1 - Ages 4-6

The Kindergarten Level 1 Reading Program, is suitable for kids between the ages of 4 to 6. Children will learn short vowels a & e, beginning and ending consonant sounds. The will learn how to read words, sentences and 2 short stories.

Kindergarten Phonics L2 - Ages 4-6

The Kindergarten Level 2 Reading Program, is suitable for kids between the ages of 4 to 6. Children will learn short vowels i, o & u, ending and beginning consonants & digraphs. The will learn how to read words, sentences and 2 short stories.

First Grade Phonics L1 - Ages 6-7

The 1 st Grade Level 1 Reading Program features a review of all the short vowels, beginning and ending consonants. Your children will learn words with the S blends, consonant digraphs ch, sh, th, wh and ph. They will also learn the soft C and G sounds.

First Grade Phonics L2 - Ages 6-7

The 1 st Grade Level 2 Phonics Program features the long a & i with the silent e. Kids will learn how the silent e changes the sounds of words. This level also includes vowel digraphs ai & ay, vowel digraphs ee & ea and final y as long e.

Second Grade Phonics L1 - Ages 7-8

The 2 nd Grade Level 1 Phonics Program features the long o & u with the silent e. This level also includes vowel digraphs like oa & ow, ui & ue and final y as long i. Special vowels like aw & ew will be also be learned.

Register Now to Unlock the Full Wealth of this Site.

Learning to Read with Phonics: A Guide for Parents

Unveiling the Power of Phonics in Early Childhood Education

Phonics is a crucial element in early childhood education, as it sets the foundation for reading and writing. It involves teaching children the relationships between letters and sounds, which is essential for decoding words. Understanding phonics can be a game-changer for your child's literacy development. This article will delve into the world of phonics, including the phonics alphabet, phonics songs, phonics worksheets, and various resources to aid in your child's learning journey.

Phonics Definition

Phonics is a method used to teach reading and writing by associating sounds with letters or groups of letters. It involves learning the phonics alphabet, which includes the sounds of each letter and combinations of letters. Phonics for kids focuses on teaching them to recognize the sound patterns in words, allowing them to decode new words and improve their reading fluency and comprehension.

The Importance of Phonics for Kids

Phonics is often considered the cornerstone of literacy development. Here are some reasons why phonics is essential for kids:
Reading Skills: It helps children decode words by sounding them out, which is a crucial skill for reading.
Spelling Skills: Understanding the relationships between letters and sounds helps in spelling words correctly.
Building Blocks for Language: It lays the foundation for understanding the language, enhancing vocabulary, and developing language skills.
Confidence: Mastering phonics boosts a child's confidence as they can read and spell words independently.

Key Components of Phonics Teaching

Phonics teaching involves several key components:
Phonemic Awareness: This is the ability to hear and identify different phonemes (sounds) in words. For example, recognizing that the word 'cat' consists of three phonemes: /c/, /a/, /t/.
Sound Charts: These are visual aids that help children associate letters or groups of letters with sounds. Sound charts are essential tools in phonics teaching.
Blending: This involves combining individual sounds to form words. For example, blending the sounds /c/, /a/, /t/ to make the word 'cat'.
Segmenting: This involves breaking down a word into its individual sounds. For example, segmenting the word 'cat' into /c/, /a/, /t/.
Phonics Worksheets: These are activities designed to reinforce the phonics rules and patterns that children have learned.
Phonics Games: Interactive games that help reinforce phonics concepts in a fun and engaging way.

Phonics Curriculum and Phonics Rules

A comprehensive phonics curriculum typically includes the following phonics rules:
Letter Sounds: Learning the sounds of individual letters.
Digraphs: Learning the sounds made by two letters together, like 'sh' in 'ship'.
Blends: Learning the combinations of two or more consonants that each keep their own sound, like 'st' in 'stop'.
Long and Short Vowels: Learning the different sounds made by vowels.
Silent Letters: Learning about letters that are not pronounced in words, like the 'k' in 'knife'.
Phonics teaching often starts with simple letter sounds and gradually progresses to more complex patterns and words.

Kiz Phonics, Jolly Phonics, vs. Hooked on Phonics Programs

There are several good phonics programs out there such as Jolly Phonics and Hooked on Phonics. So what choose Kiz Phonics? The answer is simple. Kiz Phonics is a popular educational program that uses a combination of phonics and multisensory activities to teach children to read. It includes interactive games, engaging stories, and colorful visuals that make learning fun and effective. Kiz Phonics goes a step further to offer the most varied set of materials to cater to various learning styles. It is developed by teachers with a combined 25 plus years of experience in teaching kids to read.

ABC Songs and Phonics Songs

Music is a powerful tool for memory and learning. ABC songs and phonics songs are great ways to introduce children to the phonics alphabet and phonics rules. These songs usually come with catchy tunes and repetitive lyrics, helping children remember the sounds of letters and letter combinations.

Phonics Games for Kindergarten

Interactive games are an essential part of phonics teaching. Phonics games for kindergarten can include matching games, word puzzles, and online interactive games. These games not only reinforce the phonics concepts but also help in developing fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and cognitive skills.

Kindergarten Worksheets

Kindergarten worksheets are designed to reinforce the concepts learned in the classroom. These worksheets usually involve activities like coloring, tracing, matching, and writing. They help children practice the phonics rules and patterns they have learned.

Tips for Teaching Phonics at Home

Start with the Basics: Begin with simple letter sounds and gradually move on to more complex patterns.
Use Visual Aids: Visual aids like sound charts and flashcards can help reinforce the phonics concepts.
Make it Fun: Use interactive games, songs, and activities to make the learning process enjoyable.
Practice Regularly: Regular practice is essential for mastering phonics. Use phonics worksheets and activities to reinforce the concepts.
Be Patient: Every child learns at their own pace.

Conclusion

Phonics is a powerful tool for developing a child's literacy skills. Through a structured phonics curriculum, interactive games, and engaging resources like phonics songs, you can help your child build a strong foundation for reading and writing. To explore more about phonics, visit Kiz Phonics for a range of resources tailored for kids at various stages of their educational journey.

You may choose to instead buy the contents of this website as books and CDs. In that case, you can buy sets of our course from the store. Click on a set to purchase all the courseware. Please note that the contents of the hard copies are the same as the online materials, but without updates. If you would like both online access and books, contact us for discounts.

Pre-K & Kindergarten Books

Want hard copies of our products? No problem. You may order our phonics activity books and more from our store - for Preschool & Kindergarten. Each set comes with CDs and the playing card sets and board game.

1st & 2nd Grade Books

Want hard copies of our products? No problem. You may order our phonics activity books and more from our store - For 1st Grade & 2nd Grade. Each set comes with CDs and the playing card sets and board game.

Board Games & Playing Card Sets

The teaching set is complete with board games and phonemic cards. we have grapheme cards, phoneme cards, alphabet cards which can all be used with the board game for fun phonics learning.

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Phonics Program for Preschool, Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd Grade

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Welcome to the Kiz Phonics Learning to Read Program for Children. This page is a layout of the structure of our Phonics Program. You will find links to Phonics Worksheets, Phonics Videos, Phonics Games Online & Listening Materials, which have all been designed to help you child learn to read.

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Search Classroom Resources | PBS LearningMedia

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Find classroom resources for teachers and students. Search for videos, lesson plans, and games aligned to state and national standards.

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Free Phonics Rubrics | Teachers Pay Teachers

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Browse resources on Teachers Pay Teachers, a marketplace trusted by millions of teachers for original educational resources.

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Browse Word Pattern Games | Education.com

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Browse Word Pattern Games. Award winning educational materials designed to help kids succeed. Start for free now!