Help your child improve phonics skills by building a strong foundation in reading and writing. Phonics, which focuses on the relationship between sounds and their written forms, plays a critical role in reading and writing. Whether your child needs to catch up or you’re simply looking to get them ahead, there are plenty of fun and simple activities you can do at home to boost their phonics knowledge.
As a fully qualified teacher and experienced phonics tutor, I’ve worked with many children over the years, helping them improve their phonics skills in a way that’s engaging and effective. Phonics is all about making sure children can recognise sounds, blend them together to form words, and then apply that knowledge to reading and spelling. I’ll share with you some of the strategies I use in my lessons, along with easy-to-follow activities you can try with your child at home.
The Power of Focus Sounds
In my phonics lessons, I focus on one sound at a time, ensuring that the child understands how this sound appears in different words. We break down words containing these sounds to make them easier to understand. For instance, if we’re focusing on the “sh” sound, we’ll look at words like “fish,” “shoes,” and “shop.” By working with a specific focus sound each week, children can get a deeper understanding of how sounds work together to form words.
A simple activity you can try at home is to choose a focus sound and list out as many words as possible that contain it. To keep things fun, you could even colour-code the words by syllables or highlight the focus sound. For example, for the “sh” sound, you could colour the “sh” part in red and the rest of the word in blue. This visual aid helps children separate and identify the individual sounds in each word, making it easier to read and spell.
Breaking Down Words with Colour
In my lessons, I use different colours to break up syllables and highlight the focus sounds. This technique not only makes phonics more visual but also helps children understand how words are constructed. For example, when working with the word “elephant,” I might break it down as “el-e-phant” and colour each syllable differently. This helps children see how sounds and syllables work together to form words, giving them the tools they need to tackle more complex words in the future.
At home, you can try this activity with your child using coloured pencils or highlighters. You could even make it into a fun challenge by having your child choose the colours and see how many syllables they can identify in different words. The key is to make the learning process interactive and enjoyable.
Writing and Typing Activities
One of the most popular activities in my lessons is typing words using the chat feature in Zoom. Children love this activity because it gives them an opportunity to practice their spelling in a fun and interactive way. Typing out the words on the screen allows them to focus on each letter and sound in a tactile, hands-on way. It also builds their typing skills, which is a bonus!
You can replicate this activity at home by using a tablet or computer. Have your child write out a list of words containing the focus sound and then type them into a document or a messaging app. If you don’t have access to technology, you can write the words down on paper, and then have your child “type” them by writing them again in a different colour, or even on a chalkboard or whiteboard. This reinforces the connection between sounds and letters while keeping things fresh and engaging.
Drawing Pictures and Labelling
Another fun activity I use in my lessons is drawing pictures to represent the words. For example, if the focus sound is “ch,” the child might draw a picture of a “chair” or “chicken.” They then label the pictures with the corresponding word. This activity helps children connect the sounds they’re learning with real-world objects, making the learning process more tangible.
At home, you can adapt this activity by having your child create a mini “phonics dictionary.” For each focus sound, have them draw pictures and label them. This not only reinforces the sound they are learning but also encourages creativity and a deeper understanding of how words relate to their meaning.
Writing Silly Sentences
One of my favourite activities is having the children write silly sentences containing the focus words. This makes phonics more fun and encourages children to be creative with language. For example, if the focus sound is “th,” the child might write, “The thirsty turtle thought about the thin thread.” Silly sentences like this one help children get comfortable with words, while also giving them a reason to laugh and have fun with the learning process.
Encourage your child to write their own silly sentences using the words they’ve learned. This can be done on paper, or you can even have them say the sentences out loud as part of a fun family challenge. Reading these sentences out loud helps them with fluency and pronunciation, which further supports their phonics learning.
Reading Comprehension with Focus Sounds
Once the child has learned several words containing the focus sound, I provide a short comprehension passage that features those words throughout. This is a great way to test their understanding of the sound and how it appears in different contexts. We then discuss the passage together, focusing on the key words and how they fit into the overall meaning.
At home, you can create a simple comprehension activity by writing a short paragraph that includes the words your child has been working on. After reading the passage, ask your child questions to ensure they understand the meaning of the words and how the focus sound appears throughout. This activity not only reinforces their phonics skills but also boosts their reading comprehension and critical thinking.
Making Phonics Fun
Phonics doesn’t have to be a tedious task. With the right activities, you can make learning fun and interactive for your child. Whether it’s colouring words, typing them out, drawing pictures, or writing silly sentences, the goal is to keep them engaged while reinforcing important phonics skills.
As a teacher and tutor, I work closely with children to ensure they develop their phonics skills in a fun, supportive, and interactive way. If you need any help or would like to learn more about how I can support your child’s phonics development, don’t hesitate to get in touch.