In Singapore, more and more parents are starting to prioritise their children’s English language foundation. Among all the essential language skills, Phonics plays a crucial role in helping children develop phonemic awareness, decoding skills, and the confidence to read independently.
If your child is between 4 to 6 years old—the golden window for language development—starting Phonics early can make a big difference. So how can you, as a parent, effectively support Phonics practice at home? This guide offers practical, hands-on tips to help you do just that.
📌 What is Phonics and Why Is It Important?
Phonics is a method of teaching reading by correlating sounds with letters or groups of letters. By learning these sound-letter relationships, children can learn to read by sounding out words and spell by listening to sounds.
Consistent Phonics learning helps children to:
- Remember word pronunciations and spellings more easily
- Improve reading comprehension and confidence
- Be well-prepared for local primary schools or international school environments
🏠 5 Practical Ways Parents Can Practice Phonics at Home
1. 10 Minutes a Day of “Sound Play”
Start with the basic letter sounds (phonemes). Spend just 10 minutes each day going through a small set of sounds using gestures or facial expressions to make it fun. For example:
- /s/ – hiss like a snake while making a slithering motion
- /t/ – tap like a ticking clock and say “tick tick”
Kids learn better when they’re having fun and physically involved.
2. Reinforce Sounds and Vocabulary with Storybooks
Choose phonics-friendly books with repetitive sounds, such as “Sam the Snake” or “Fat Cat on a Mat”. As you read, help your child spot recurring sounds and letter patterns. For example:
“What sound does ‘snake’ start with?”
Guide them to say /s/.
This helps connect sounds with words and builds early reading habits.
3. Practice CVC Word Blending Step by Step
Once your child is confident with individual letter sounds, introduce CVC (Consonant–Vowel–Consonant) word blending. For example:
- cat → /k/ – /æ/ – /t/
- dog → /d/ – /ɒ/ – /g/
Use flashcards or magnetic letters to help your child build and sound out words—this reinforces both memory and phonics skills.
4. Use Audio-Based Practice to Combine Listening and Speaking
Use Phonics songs or pronunciation apps (e.g., Jolly Phonics, Starfall) to let children sing along and imitate the sounds. This improves:
- Pronunciation accuracy
- Listening skills
- Confidence in speaking
Bonus: Parents don’t need to worry about having “perfect” pronunciation!
5. Create Real-Life Practice Moments
Turn everyday situations into Phonics learning opportunities:
- At the supermarket, ask: “What’s the first sound in milk?” → /m/
- While playing, say the sounds in car → /k/ – /ɑː/ – /r/
When learning is naturally woven into life, it becomes easier and more enjoyable.
📘 Recommended: iWorld Learning’s Phonics Programme
For parents looking for a structured and professional Phonics programme, iWorld Learning Singapore offers a well-designed course co-developed by native English teachers and former MOE educators.
👶 Ideal for Ages: 4–6 years
📖 Programme Highlights:
- Systematic progression from phonemes to word blending and reading
- Original materials + multi-sensory teaching approach to boost focus and retention
- Small class sizes (3–6 students) for maximum interaction
- Post-class feedback & at-home practice suggestions
📍 Locations: CBD & Orchard
📩 Trial Available: Free assessment + trial lesson offered
Make Phonics learning simple, fun, and effective.
Feel free to reach out to us for more course info!
📞 WhatsApp: +65 8798 0083
