How to teach phonics at home: a simple 10-minute routine

Before you start: sounds, not letter names

The letter b is called "bee", but in phonics it says /b/, a short sound with no "uh" on the end. Saying sounds cleanly makes blending far easier later: /c/ /a/ /t/ blends into "cat", while "kuh-a-tuh" does not. If you are unsure of a sound, listen to a recording once and copy it.

Most phonics programmes start with a small group of letters that make lots of simple words quickly, such as s, a, t, p, i, n. From these six alone a child can read sat, pin, tap, nap, tin and more.

The 10-minute routine

1. Warm-up (2 minutes): sound review. Show letter cards you have already learned, one at a time. Your child says the sound, not the name. Go quickly and keep it light.
2. New sound (2 minutes). Introduce one new letter-sound. Say it, show the letter, and think of words that start with it together. An action helps it stick: a snake shape for /s/, or tapping your arm for /t/.
3. Blending (3 minutes). Lay out three letters to make a simple word, such as c-a-t. Point to each letter as your child says the sounds, then sweep your finger under the word as they say them faster until they hear "cat". This is the heart of reading.
4. Game (2 minutes). Play one short game with the sounds you know (ideas below).
5. Read (1 minute). Finish with a few real words or a tiny sentence your child can read on their own, so every session ends with success.

Five quick phonics games

• I spy with sounds: "I spy something beginning with /m/." Use the sound, not the letter name.
• Sound hunt: give your child one minute to find three things in the room that start with today's sound.
• Word builder: change one letter at a time: cat → hat → hot → hop. Each new word is a small victory.
• Robot talk: speak like a robot, "Pass me the c-u-p", and let your child blend the word and do it.
• Flashcard flip: spread letter or word cards face down; your child flips one and reads it to keep it.

Signs it is working

Your child starts sounding out words on signs and packets without being asked, or notices that two words begin with the same sound. Celebrate these moments: noticing is the skill.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Going too fast. It is fine to spend a whole week on the same few sounds until blending feels easy.
• Correcting every slip. Model the right sound once, cheerfully, and move on. Pressure kills the fun.
• Skipping the reading. Sounds in isolation are not the goal. Always finish with real words.
• Long sessions. Stop before your child gets tired, so they look forward to tomorrow.

Tip: Children learning English as a second language may hear some English sounds as the same, such as /l/ and /r/, or /b/ and /v/. Exaggerate the mouth shape, let them watch you, and practise with pairs of words (light / right).