When I was helping my daughter get started with reading, I realised something important. Children don’t see letters the way we do. For us, “C-A-T” instantly becomes “cat.” To children, the letters appear as three strange marks on paper. Unless someone shows them that each mark has a sound, it doesn’t make sense. That is precisely why phonics matters.
For kids, phonics is more than just another way to learn. It’s the link between letters and spoken words. For kids, reading and stories become more fun once they know that letters can make sounds.
Why Start with Phonics?
Most of us grew up learning by repetition: “A for Apple, B for Ball.” Many kids could chant the alphabet but struggled when it came to reading a new word. This is where phonics for kids comes into play. It starts with sounds. For example, a child learns that “b” makes the /b/ sound. When you show them “bag,” they can break it into /b/…/a/…/g/ and slowly blend it.
This way, reading becomes less about memory and more about problem-solving. The kids also like it. It makes them feel good when they can sound out a word on their own. The first time my daughter read a whole page out loud, I will never forget the look on her face—a mix of surprise and pride.
How to Introduce Phonics at Home
Teaching phonics doesn’t require you to be a trained teacher. Parents can easily bring it into everyday life.
1. Focus on Sounds First
Start with the sounds letters make, not their names. For instance, instead of saying “This is M,” say “This makes the /mmm/ sound.” Once kids catch the sound, you can show them how it fits into words like “milk” or “mat.”
A trick I use is exaggerating the first sound. If we’re pouring milk, I’ll say, “/Mmm/ilk starts with /mmm/.” Kids love this kind of playful emphasis.
2. Blend, Don’t Just Break
After they know individual sounds, show them how to blend. Say /s/…/u/…/n/ slowly, then speed up until it becomes “sun.” Blending is the magic moment when letters start to make sense as words.
Simple phonics games for kids work wonders here. For example, put three letter cards on the floor and ask your child to hop from one to the other while saying the sounds. By the end, they’ve blended a word without even realising they were learning.
3. Rhymes and Songs
India has such a rich culture of rhymes—English and regional. Nursery songs naturally emphasise sounds. “Twinkle, Twinkle” or even “Machhli Jal Ki Rani Hai” helps children hear repeated sounds. The rhythm makes phonics practice feel less like a lesson and more like play.
4. Keep Books Handy
Invest in a few phonics books for kids. They are designed to progress step by step, from simple words like “cat” and “dog” to more complex blends. Reading together is not just about learning; it’s about bonding. I still treasure the evenings when my daughter would bring me her favourite phonics reader, insisting we go through the same story again and again.
5. Everyday Phonics
The best part about phonics is that you don’t need a classroom. Every day life is your teaching ground. In the kitchen, point out “pot,” “pan,” and “peas.” At the grocery store, try “rice,” “soap,” or “jam.” Children learn fastest when they connect letters to real-world objects.
6. Making It Fun with Games
Children love games. If you turn phonics practice into playtime, half your battle is won. Here are a few tried-and-tested activities:
7. Sound Treasure Hunt:
Ask your child to find something in the house that starts with the sound /t/.
8. Phonics Hopscotch:
Write letters in chalk on the floor. Call out a sound, and your child jumps to the correct letter.
9. Mystery Bag:
Place a few items in a bag—ball, spoon, key. Let your child pull one out and say the starting sound.
These small activities don’t need fancy equipment, yet they keep children curious and involved. That curiosity is what pushes them to keep learning.
Handling Challenges
Not all kids catch on at the same pace. Some may learn sounds quickly but struggle with blending. Others may confuse similar sounds like /b/ and /d/. Here are some ways to manage:
- Be patient: Correct gently by repeating the word, rather than pointing out mistakes.
- Celebrate effort: Even if the word is not right, praise them for trying.
- Use variety: If books feel boring, switch to phonics sounds for kids through songs or hands-on games.
Remember, phonics is a journey. Each child walks it differently.
A Personal Note
When my daughter was in preschool, she was fascinated by rhymes but had trouble recognising letters. I started labelling everyday things at home—“door,” “bed,” “cup.” Slowly she began pointing at them and trying to sound them out. What amazed me was how quickly she moved from those labels to reading storybooks.
That’s the beauty of phonics—it grows naturally with the child, without pressure.
Creating a Reading Culture
Beyond techniques, what matters is creating an atmosphere where reading is valued. A child who grows up around books, storytelling, and playful reading moments will always be more eager to learn.
Set up a little corner with a basket of storybooks and phonics books for kids.
Let children “teach” you sounds—role reversal makes them feel powerful.
Celebrate small milestones: the first full word, the first sentence, the first book.
Every time they achieve something, no matter how small, it strengthens their love for reading.
Final Thoughts
Phonics is not about drills or flashcards. It is about discovery. It is about giving children the key to decode words on their own. Whether through phonics games for kids, engaging stories, or simple daily conversations, the idea is to make learning joyful.
When kids realise that letters and sounds fit together like puzzle pieces, they don’t just learn to read—they fall in love with reading. And that is a gift they will carry for life.
At Kangaroo Kids International Preschool, we focus on creating an early foundation where learning feels like play. Our approach to phonics is simple, engaging, and rooted in everyday experiences. Children not only learn phonics sounds for kids but also develop a lifelong love for reading, stories, and imagination.
