Top 3 Phonics Tips for 2025 to Boost Your Child’s Reading Skills
- littlelearnerstuto
- Jan 8
- 3 min read
As we step into 2025, there’s no better time to refresh your approach to supporting your child’s reading journey. Phonics is the foundation of reading, and with a few simple strategies, you can help your child excel. Here are my top three phonics tips to set your little learner up for success this year.
1. Play Games: Get Hands-On and Active
Learning through play is one of the most effective ways for young children to develop new skills—and phonics is no exception! Games that involve matching sounds to letters, blending words, or even creating silly rhymes engage your child in active learning.
For example, try games like:
Phonics Bingo: Create bingo cards with letters or simple words and call them out. Your child can mark the matching letter or word.
Sound Treasure Hunt: Hide objects around the house that start with specific sounds and have your child find them (e.g., a toy car for the "c" sound).
These activities not only make learning fun but also help to strengthen memory and fine motor skills. Hands-on games encourage active participation, which keeps your child engaged and excited to learn.
2. Know Your Child’s Gaps
Every child learns at their own pace, so it’s important to identify their unique strengths and areas for improvement. Regularly checking up on the letter sounds they know helps you spot the gaps in their understanding.
Here’s a simple method to assess your child’s knowledge using flashcards:
Go through a set of flashcards containing letter sounds or simple words.
Create three piles:
Confidently Know: Sounds they recognise immediately.
Takes Longer: Sounds they hesitate on or need a moment to recall.
Don’t Know: Sounds they’re unfamiliar with.
Once you’ve identified the gaps, you can target those specific sounds with fun and engaging activities. For instance, if your child struggles with the "sh" sound, you could focus on words like "ship" and "shell," using flashcards, drawings, or even a matching game. By addressing these gaps, you’ll help your child build a solid foundation in phonics.
3. Practise for Just 5 Minutes a Day
When it comes to phonics, consistency is key. Short, focused daily practice beats long, irregular sessions every time. Dedicate just five minutes each day to practising letter sounds, blending, and segmenting skills.
Here’s how to make those five minutes count:
Warm-Up: Start with a few sounds your child already knows to build confidence.
Focus on the Gaps: Spend most of the time on sounds or blends they find tricky.
Celebrate Success: End with a quick word or sentence they can decode confidently.
Over time, these small daily efforts will compound into big progress. You’ll be amazed at how much your child can achieve with just a few minutes of consistent practice.
Phonics doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By incorporating play, regularly assessing your child’s knowledge, and sticking to a short, daily practice routine, you can make learning enjoyable and effective. Not only will these strategies boost their reading skills, but they’ll also build your child’s confidence and foster a lifelong love of learning.
Ready to take on 2025? Let’s make this the year your child excels in reading!
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