Why Phonics Matters: A Parent’s Guide to Early Reading Success – Week 1

Hiya. I’m Grace.
(And yes, I really do start blog posts like that.)

1. Greetings from Grace
2. What is Phonics?
3. The Phonics Phases Explained
4. 5 Easy Ways to Support Phonics at Home
5. Free Phonics Activity Worksheet
6. Week 2’s Preview
7. FAQs

I know, I know—it’s not the most “professional” way to kick things off on an educational site. But here’s the thing…

This isn’t your usual kind of educational site.
And I’m not your usual kind of “education person.”

What Makes This Different?

Well, for starters—I’m not a teacher.

I’m a mum. A very curious, slightly research-obsessed, give-it-a-go kind of mum, who’s been right where you are now—figuring out how to help my child learn to read at home, with phonics.

Now throw in a speech and language delay, plus the chaos that was the Corona years, and that’s been my journey.

I know you’re busy parents and need genuine suggestions for super engaging activities that take minimal time to prep!

So I may not be here with a formal lesson plan, but I’m here with real-life, practical stuff.

So if that sounds like your kind of thing, read on.

What You’ll Find Here

This is the start of a weekly phonics series—but before you panic, no, this isn’t about doing something new every single day. This is more of a gentle rhythm. A support system. A way to feel like you actually know what your child is doing in Nursery or Reception, and how you can help at home.

Each week, I’ll share a new blog post with:

• Clear, simple explanations about UK phonics stages
• Low-prep, practical phonics activities
• Encouragement (because let’s be honest, some days we all need it)
• And yes… probably a bit of rambling from me 😊

But I promise—each post will have clear headings at the top of the page, so if I do start going off on a tangent, (I do that sometimes), you can click straight to the bits you came here for. No judgement.

We’re Big on PRACTICAL Around Here

Yes, that was all-caps on purpose.

Because I’ve found that my children would rather do something than just look at something. Unless, it’s a mobile, tablet, ipad, TV (insert here any form of technology or social media 😩). Hand up if you can relate!

So here, you can expect hands-on, low-fuss ideas using things you probably already have at home.

Let me give you an example.

Picture this:

I once planned this “wonderful” family trip to the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum. I had visions of joyful faces, wonder and awe. Instead… my kids were mostly interested in what I’d made for the packed lunch.

(I make a great packed lunch. But still.)

So now, if I don’t want to feel deflated, I turn museum trips into indoor treasure hunts.

What do I mean?

Give your child a museum brochure and challenge them to find the things in the photos. Points (Haribos if you like 😉) for each dino spotted. Bonus points if no one cries. You get the idea.

You can totally DIY your own museum brochure using something like Canva.
And there you go—first practical tip, you’re very welcome. Please come back and let me know how it goes!

But Let’s Get to the Phonics Bit

Yes, let’s get to the phonics.

This is Week 1 of a series that will guide you through phonics learning at home. Bit by bit. No pressure. No panic.

You don’t need to be a qualified EYFS teacher.
You just need to show up. With your child. With a bit of time. With the willingness to try.

How do I know it works?

Because I’m not a teacher and I still managed to help my son.

This isn’t about ticking boxes or racing through. It’s about building strong foundations, moving at a pace that suits your child, and knowing that every small step counts.

How to Use This Series

Yes, it’s laid out weekly.
No, you don’t have to stick rigidly to that.

Redo activities. Skip weeks. Slow down. Zoom ahead. Whatever works for you and your little one.

My goal?
To help you feel in the loop about what your child is learning in phonics at school—and confident about how to support that learning at home.

Oh! One Last Thing—Who Are We?

I probably should’ve said this sooner. Welcome to Helping Hand Workbooks (HHW for short). That’s me, and us, and this little corner of the internet.

At HHW, we believe in the 3 Ps:

• PRACTICE makes progress
• PREPARE for mastery
• Go at your own PACE

Every child is different. Every home is different. And that’s not just okay—it’s the point.

So… ready to start? Let’s ease into Week 1, one simple, practical step at a time. You’ve got this.

Intro – Helping your Child Start their Reading Journey

If your child is in Nursery or Reception, you’ve probably heard the word phonics a lot. But what exactly is it, and why is it such a big deal when it comes to learning to read?

In this post, we’ll break down what phonics really means, why it’s used in UK schools, and how you—yes, you!—can support it at home with just a few minutes a day (no teaching experience required).

What Is Phonics?

Phonics is a way of teaching children how to read and write by helping them connect letters (graphemes) with sounds (phonemes).

For example:

• The letter s makes the /s/ sound (like in sun)
• The letters sh make the /sh/ sound (like in shop)

Children learn to:

1. Recognise sounds
2. Blend them together to read words (e.g., c-a-t = cat)
3. Segment them apart to spell (e.g., dog = d-o-g)

It’s a simple but powerful system that gives young readers the tools they need to decode words confidently.

Why Is Phonics Important?

Phonics helps children:

• Understand how words are built
• Tackle unfamiliar words without guessing
• Build confidence as they read independently
• Lay a strong foundation for spelling and writing

In short, it’s arguably the most effective way to get children reading fluently and with understanding—especially in English, where spelling patterns can be tricky!

The Phonics Phases Explained

Most UK schools (particularly in England) follow structured phonics programmes, many based on adapted fully structured versions of the 2007 Letters and Sounds* framework, usually divided into phases similar to the following:

• Phase 1 (Nursery): Listening skills, sound awareness, rhyme
• Phase 2–4 (Reception): Learning letters, blending sounds, simple words
• Phase 5 (Year 1): Alternative spellings (e.g., ai, ay, a-e)

You don’t need to memorise it all, but knowing roughly where your child is can help you support them with the right activities.

*no longer in use as a standalone framework.

5 Simple Ways to Support Phonics at Home

Here are five easy, no-fuss ways you can help your child build phonics skills every day:

1. Play “I Spy” With Sounds

Instead of saying letters, say sounds:
“I spy something beginning with /s/…” (sock)
Top Tip: Emphasise the pure sound, not “suh” or “muh”

2. Read Aloud Together Daily

Even five minutes a day makes a huge difference. Let them join in with familiar books.
Bonus Tip: Point to words as you read them to build word–sound links.

3. Listen for Sounds Around You

On a walk or in the kitchen, ask: “What sounds can you hear?”
This develops early sound awareness—essential for Phase 1. Free Printable Activities Worksheet Alert: Grab our free Sound Safari Activity Worksheet.

4. Try Sound Sorting

Place objects in a tray (e.g., sock, spoon, soap) and ask: “Which ones start with /s/?”

5. Celebrate Every Effort

Blending sounds is a skill that takes time—cheer every try!
Encouragement Tip: Focus on progress, not perfection.

What If I’m Not a Teacher?

Good news—you don’t need to be!
You’re already your child’s most important teacher. Just by talking, reading, and playing together, you’re helping them learn the building blocks of reading.

And with a little support from us, you’ll have some tools to help to guide them, step-by-step.

Start With This Free Sound Safari Activity

Want to try some phonics activities today?
Download our free Phase 1 Sound Safari Phonics Activity Worksheet—a fun sound hunt activity, perfect for ages 3–5.
[Click here to download]

Coming Up Next Week…

We’ll be diving into Phase 1 Phonics: what it is, why it matters, and how to support it through everyday play.

Read next: [Week 2 – What Are Phase 1 Phonics Skills?]

FAQs

What is phonics in simple terms?
Phonics is a way of teaching reading by matching letters with their sounds. Children learn to blend sounds to read words and break them down to spell.

Why do schools teach phonics?
Because phonics is arguably one of the most effective ways to teach early reading. It helps children decode words confidently instead of guessing.

At what age do children start phonics?
Phonics begins in Nursery (Phase 1) around ages 3–4, focusing on listening and sound play. Letters are usually introduced in Reception (Phase 2).

How long does phonics take to learn?
Phonics is taught from Nursery through Year 1, with most children moving beyond phonics into fluent reading in Year 2.

What are the phases of phonics in the UK?

• Phase 1: Listening and sound awareness
• Phases 2–4: Letters, blending, simple words
• Phase 5: Alternative spellings
• Phase 6: Fluency and spelling patterns

What is the difference between phonics and reading?
Phonics is a method of teaching reading. Reading itself includes understanding meaning, fluency, and enjoyment—not just sounding out words.

Do I need to teach phonics at home?
Not formally. Your child’s school will cover it—but playing sound games, reading aloud, and noticing words at home makes a huge difference.

If this post made phonics feel a little easier to understand… Subscribe to our weekly blog series to get phonics activity ideas sent straight to your inbox.

If you found this post helpful, send it to a friend with a 3-5 year old.