They are beginning to recognise letters, love rhyming, and are constantly asking what something says. You may be wondering whether it is time to start phonics.
This guide will help you understand how to incorporate phonics into your 3-year-olds’ and 4-year-olds’ routines, what to start with and how to keep it fun!
What is Phonics
Phonics helps children learn that letters have sounds and that they can be blended together to make words. For example, the letter s is /s/, the letter a is /a/, and the letter t is /t/. They can be blended to make sat.
Young children will focus on learning the sounds rather than the names of the letters. Therefore, they should say ‘sss’ rather than ‘ess’.
Is 3 too young to start phonics?
Not if you are gentle with it! At 3, they will not be expected to be able to read. The aim is to encourage sound awareness using songs, rhymes, games and actions. This will prepare them for reading.
Your child is ready if they:
- Love songs, rhymes and stories
- Point to pictures and can name objects
- Have an interest in letters
- Can concentrate on a fun activity for between 5-10 mins
If they are not showing much interest, don’t worry! Children develop at different rates, and you can carry on with stories and rhymes.
Phonics for 3-Year-Olds
Keep it light and fun!
- Listen for sounds – Listen out for any sounds in the house such as the doorbell, clapping, and tapping.
- Rhymes and songs – Rhyming helps children to hear the sounds in words.
- Letter sounds – Start with the easiest sounds first, such as s, a, t, i, p, and n.
- Initial sounds – Ball starts with /b/.
- Actions – Using actions helps with remembering.
Try to keep it to 5-10 mins a day.
Phonics for 4-Year-Olds
Many children will be ready to learn more at this age.
- More letter sounds – c, k, e, h, r, m and d.
- Blending simple words – sat, pin, tap and mat.
- Identify initial and final sounds.
- Trace and write letters – Using their fingers, crayons or sand.
- Read very short simple sentences with picture support.
Children develop at different rates so if they need extra time with the first few sounds that is okay.
What Sounds to Start With
Many people will start with:
s, a, t, i, p and n.
This helps children make lots of simple words quickly and they will feel a sense of achievement straight away! They will then progress onto learning more letters such as c, k, e, h, r, m and d.
7 Simple Phonics Activities to Try
- Sound hunt – Choose a sound such as /m/ and find items around the house that start with that sound (mug, mat, mango).
- I Spy – I spy with my little eye something that starts with /s/.
- Sand/salt tray – Let them trace the letters in the sand/salt tray.
- Sound songs – Sing a short song or chant for the new sound.
- Actions – Create a simple action for each sound such as hissing like a snake for /s/.
- Playdough letters – Roll and create letters whilst saying the sound.
- Sort by picture – Sort their toys/pictures by the initial sound.
How Long to Spend
| Age | Time |
|---|---|
| 3 Years | 5-10 mins |
| 4 Years | 10-15 mins |
Don’t overdo it and stop when they get tired. It is better to keep it short and positive!
Things to Avoid
- Don’t rush them. If they are not interested take a break and play games.
- Don’t just teach letter names. Focus on the sounds.
- Don’t test them. Keep it fun!
- Don’t compare them to others. They will all develop at different rates.
- Don’t skip revision. Young children need to hear the sounds repeatedly.
Should They Join an Online Phonics Class?
Starting phonics at home is a great way to start but a structured class can help if:
- You are unsure how to pronounce the sounds correctly.
- You want a clear structure.
- They learn better with a teacher and other children.
- You have little time or no good phonics class nearby.
Look for a short, engaging class with lots of songs, actions and games. They should not be passively watching the screen, they should be able to talk and interact. Find out more in our online phonics classes for kids guide and our Jolly Phonics online course article.
Phonics at The Reader Nest
We offer a Jolly Phonics programme for children aged 3+. We focus on the basics of reading with letters, sounds, blending and simple words. Our classes are interactive, live and taught by experienced educators. We also offer flexible times to suit busy families in India and overseas.
All courses offer a free demo class.
[WhatsApp to Book Free Demo] Use code TRN10 for 10% discount!
FAQ
When should my child start phonics?
Many children will start phonics around 3-4 years old. They will love songs, rhymes and letters. It will be lots of fun!
Can a 3-year-old learn phonics?
Yes they can. Keep it short and fun with lots of focus on sounds, rhymes and actions. Reading will come later.
What should a 4-year-old know?
Most children can learn several letter sounds and start to blend simple words. Children will develop at different rates.
Should I teach letter names or sounds?
It is best to focus on the sounds as this will help with reading. You can slowly introduce the letter names.
My child isn’t interested. What should I do?
Take a break and play games, songs and stories. They will usually become interested once they realise it is fun to learn!
How long should a phonics session be?
Around 5-15 mins depending on their age. Keep it short and positive!
