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Pre-K Home

Introduction to Phonics

What exactly is phonics?
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For children today, the alphabet means more than singing your ABC's. Phonics is about how letters sound and how to use those sounds to make words. This video explains how the process of phonics works.

Teaching Phonics

This 7-minute video takes parents through a typical kindergarten phonics lesson.

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"The Better Alphabet Song"

Many kindergarten teachers are using "Secret Stories," a program which teaches children phonics through the use of letter sounds and combinations, or 'relationships.' The Better Alphabet Song goes beyond letter recognition to letter sounds.

YouTube Channels

AlphaBlocks is a YouTube channel that teaches phonics through animated shorts (cartoons). Each letter is a live, animated block, and when it holds hands with another block, "magic words" appear.

Busy Beavers are puppets who teach lessons in phonics and more. They have a free YouTube channel or a paid subscription which contains a full curriculum with flashcards, books, worksheets, etc. for approximately $7/monthly.

Website resources  

​SplashLearn uses digital games (like pop all the balloons that have the letter 'b') to teach phonics. With almost 200 letter games for preschoolers, this free resource is sure to be a favorite.

ABCYa is a trusted program used by educators which builds lessons based on state standards. The program includes lessons across various subjects and grade levels, but the Pre-K phonics page is linked. 

This award-winning program is free once users sign up. Lessons are written by expert educators and are parent approved. Teach Your Monster to Read uses monsters to teach reading, math, and other concepts.

ReadWriteThink is a trusted curriculum resource for many teachers, providing free, user-friendly activities to teacher reading, writing, and creative thinking.

The mClass Home Connect site provides free phonics resources for families to practice and reinforce important literacy skills with their children.

This printable, hands-on activity helps reinforce letter sounds and sequence by placing them in order on the rainbow arc.

Listen and Find: Listen to the vowel that is being called, and click on the right letter. Similar to BINGO, if the voice says 'o', the participant will find the letter 'o' in the row and click it.

Sandbox Search: Help Abby from Sesame Street search for hidden letters in the sandbox!

PBS Spelling Games: Work with favorite Super Why and Sesame Street characters to find letters and spell words!

Lower Case Letter Sequencing Game: Click each lowercase letter, and drag it into place.

The Ultimate Phonics Collection: This Reading Mama provides many free printable phonics lessons, worksheets, and games.

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Phonics Apps and Paid Resources

AlphaTots

AlphaTots: ​AlphaTots is an excellent free tool for helping children learn the alphabet. Filled with creative and clever interactive activities, the app reinforces letters with interactive elements that are fun to do (such as assembling a building for the letter B or cutting strings for the letter C). Available on Google and Apple Play Stores.

Letter School

LetterSchool is a free letter-writing app that incorporates engaging animated features. As kids write a letter, it animates.

Hooked on Phonics

Hooked on Phonics: This popular program has been a #1 phonics resource for decades. The first month is free, and a monthly subscription is approximately $13.

ABCMouse.com

ABCMouse.com: This widely popular phonics program allows users to create a cartoon avatar, and each virtual lesson earns them tickets they can cash in for virtual toys, pets, decorations for their virtual room, etc. Lessons use phonics instruction to teach reading, math, social studies, and more. Pros: This program contains thousands of scaffolded lessons proven to meet the child where they are and help them show progress. Cons: After the first 30 days, there is a monthly fee of $13; however, they are offering a one-year subscription for $45.

Reading Eggs

Reading Eggs is a subscription-based reading program that helps children learn to read with hundreds of lessons, phonics games, and books for ages 2–13. The first month is free; a subscription is $10/mo.