Step-by-Step 6 Types of Phonics Phases for Early Readers

What Is Phonics? 

Phonics is a teaching method that helps children learn how to read and write by connecting sounds with letters or groups of letters. This essential literacy skill forms the foundation of reading fluency and spelling accuracy in the early school years.
Phonics for kids involves teaching them to recognise, blend, and segment letter sounds to build reading and writing skills. It is introduced in stages, starting from listening skills to advanced spelling and grammar rules by Grade 2.

Phonics helps children decode unfamiliar words by sounding them out and boosts confidence in reading independently. Through structured stages called phonics phases, children gradually become fluent readers and accurate spellers.

Why Phonics Matters for Kids

• Builds reading fluency from a young age

• Improves pronunciation and vocabulary

• Develops writing and spelling accuracy

• Helps kids become confident speakers and readers

• Supports spoken English development

Phonics Phases Explained 

Phonics is taught in six distinct phases, typically from preschool to Grade 2. Each phase builds upon the previous one, and children progress at their own pace depending on their learning style and exposure.

Phase 1: Listening and Sound Awareness 

This phase lays the foundation by helping kids develop listening skills and an awareness of environmental sounds. It usually begins before formal schooling starts.

Focus areas in Phase 1:

• Environmental sounds (e.g., birds chirping, traffic)

• Instrumental sounds (musical instruments)

• Body percussion (clapping, tapping)

• Voice sounds (intonation, pitch)

• Rhythm and rhyme

• Alliteration

• Oral blending and segmenting

Goal: Help children identify, mimic, and differentiate between sounds around them.

Phase 2: Learning Letter Sounds 

In this phase, kids start learning the 19 most common phonemes the smallest units of sound. They also begin to read and write VC (vowel-consonant) and CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) words.

Common phonemes taught: /s/, /a/, /t/, /p/, /i/, /n/, /m/, /d/, etc.

Outcomes:

• Begin sound-letter recognition

• Read simple words like sat, pin, map

• Start writing using basic sounds

Phase 3: Digraphs and Tricky Words

In this 12-week phase, children learn 25 more phonemes, including digraphs, two letters that make one sound.

Examples:

• Digraphs: /ch/, /sh/, /th/, /ee/, /ow/, /ar/

• Tricky words: he, she, was, you, they, my

What they learn:

• Blend and segment CVC words

• Recognise tricky words that cannot be sounded out

• Associate letter names with sounds

Phase 4: Blending and Sentence Building

Now children consolidate everything they’ve learned. They no longer learn new sounds but practise combining them to read longer words and build sentences.

Activities in Phase 4:

• Read and write CVCC words: lamp, nest, milk

• Introduced to high-frequency words

• Start writing full sentences

• Continued practice with tricky words

Goal: Children should start recognising words without having to sound them out.

Phase 5: Alternate Spellings and Pronunciations 

Kids learn that many sounds can be written in different ways. They are introduced to alternative spellings for the same sounds and begin spelling unfamiliar words more independently.

Key learnings:

• Graphemes: Different letter combinations for the same sound (e.g., igh can be ie, y, i-e)

• Alternative pronunciations: read (present vs. past)

• Learn more tricky words and correct letter formation

Duration: Takes the full Grade 1 year for mastery.

Phase 6: Fluent Reading and Spelling Rules

By Phase 6, the focus shifts from learning how to read to becoming fluent readers and confident writers.

Skills developed in this phase:

• Spelling rules (prefixes, suffixes, tenses)

• Punctuation and proofreading

• Use of apostrophes and dictionaries

• Silent reading and comprehension

Goal: Build automaticity, children can now read hundreds of words without needing to decode each one.

Turn Sounds into Strong Communication

PlanetSpark goes beyond phonics, we help your child build vocabulary, pronunciation, and public speaking skills too. Book A Free Trial Class!

Summary Table: Phonics Phases at a Glance

Why Early Phonics Support Matters

Spoken English is a common challenge among young learners, especially when foundational skills like phonics are weak. Giving your child a strong start with structured phonics lessons is one of the best ways to ensure reading fluency and long-term language confidence.

PlanetSpark’s Phonics Classes: Structured, Engaging, and Effective

When it comes to building a strong foundation in reading and spoken English, PlanetSpark offers one of the most comprehensive phonics programs for kids in Grades 2 and 3. Designed by experts and delivered through 1:1 live classes, this course blends phonics mastery with engaging activities in reading, writing, and storytelling.

What Makes PlanetSpark’s Phonics Program Unique?

PlanetSpark doesn’t just teach sounds and letters, it helps your child become a confident reader and communicator through a multi-dimensional learning approach.

Here’s what your child will learn in PlanetSpark’s Phonics curriculum:

Phonic & Phonological Rules

• Consonant trigraphs like tch, mph

• Three-letter S-blends: sch, scr, shr, str, spl, spr

• C and K rule: When to use ck after a vowel

• Vowel combinations: au, aw, oi, oy

• Inflectional endings: Adding -ing, -ed, -s, -er, -est

Reading Comprehension

• Decodable texts for sentence-level fluency

• Making text-to-self connections

• Asking and answering “WH” questions

• Fluency through rhymes and short paragraphs

Storytelling and Performance

• Creative story maps and sequencing

• Story retelling with rhythm and rhyme

• Dramatic expression and oral delivery

Writing Skills

• Narrative writing: Sequencing events logically

• Character sketches: Describing traits and actions

• Opinion writing: Sharing personal views

• Creating alphabet, number, and shape poems

• Exploring imagery and rhyming words in poetry

Program Highlights

• 165+ 1:1 interactive classes with expert trainers

• Personalised learning plan based on your child’s reading level

• Use of Spark Diary to track daily learning

• Gamified quizzes and AI-based speech feedback (via SparkX)

• Parent-teacher meetups and detailed progress reports

Why PlanetSpark Works

Most phonics programs stop at sound recognition. PlanetSpark goes further, blending phonics, comprehension, writing, and public speaking into one integrated program. It doesn’t just prepare kids to read, it prepares them to communicate with confidence.

Ready to level up your child’s phonics journey?
👉 Book a FREE demo with PlanetSpark now

FAQs on Phonics for Kids

Q1. At what age should a child start phonics?
Children can begin phonics activities from age 3–4, starting with listening skills and sound awareness.

Q2. How long does it take to complete all phonics phases?
Typically, from preschool to the end of Grade 2 (around 4 years), depending on the child’s pace.

Q3. Can I teach phonics at home?
Yes, but structured programs like PlanetSpark offer guided learning, which ensures faster and more accurate fluency development.

Q4. What’s the difference between phonics and spoken English?
Phonics focuses on decoding written language. Spoken English focuses on speaking fluently, confidently, and grammatically.