Phonics Unpacked

For parents of 3–7 year olds

Phonics, explained for grown-ups.

Many of us learnt letter names before sounds. Here's how your child is being taught to read at school, one sound at a time, in the order most schools teach it. Then five calm minutes at the kitchen table.

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Page 1 of the free Phase 2 sound mat: all 36 first sounds, each with a picture that starts with the sound

How it works

Learn it in 30 seconds. Use it tonight.

  1. Watch one sound

    Each short video takes one sound, says it the way school does, and shows the slip most of us make.

  2. Print the sound mat

    All 36 first sounds on one A4 sheet, in teaching order, with a page that tells you how to say each one.

  3. Five minutes, most days

    Point, say, blend. A few minutes at the table beats an hour on Sunday. Stop while it's still fun.

This half-term · Reception, autumn 2

What your child is probably learning now

After October half-term, most Reception classes finish the first set of sounds: double letters, the last single letters, and the first digraphs (two letters that make one sound).

  • ffpuff, a sound you can hold
  • llbell, a sound you can hold
  • ssdress, a sound you can hold
  • jjam, a quick sound
  • vvan, a sound you can hold
  • wweb, a quick sound
  • xfox, a quick sound
  • yyo-yo, a quick sound
  • zzip, a sound you can hold
  • zzbuzz, a sound you can hold
  • ququeen, a quick sound
  • chchips, a quick sound
  • shsheep, a sound you can hold
  • ththumb, a sound you can hold
  • ngring, a sound you can hold
  • nkpink, a quick sound
  • A sound you can hold: ssss, mmmm
  • A quick sound: short and crisp

Tricky words this half-term

Words with a part your child can't sound out yet. Spot the tricky bit, sound out the rest.

  • put
  • pull
  • full
  • as
  • and
  • has
  • his
  • her
  • go
  • no
  • to
  • into
  • she
  • push
  • he
  • of
  • we
  • me
  • be

Your school's order may differ. The sheet in the book bag is the one to follow.

Latest Shorts

One sound, under a minute

Made for grown-ups to watch first, so you can say it the same way at home.

See every sound on YouTube

Available now

When you want a bit more than the mat

Printable packs that follow the school year. The first one covers every Phase 2 sound: trace and write, read and match, sorting games, tricky word cards and a sound tracker. Your child does the practice; the videos stay for you.

Phase 2 Home Practice Pack · 24 pages · £4.99 founding price

Buy now £4.99 See what's inside