Look for a program that teaches phonics systematically and explicitly: letter-sound patterns in a planned order, practiced in decodable texts that use only the patterns taught so far. Strong programs also build phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension, the five areas identified by the National Reading Panel. Be wary of programs that teach children to guess words from pictures or context.
Reading programs vary widely. The good ones share a few features you can check before you buy.
The five pillars of reading
| Area | What it means |
|---|---|
| Phonemic awareness | Hearing and working with individual sounds in words |
| Phonics | Connecting sounds to letters and spelling patterns |
| Fluency | Reading accurately, at a good pace, with expression |
| Vocabulary | Knowing what words mean |
| Comprehension | Understanding what is read |
These come from the National Reading Panel’s 2000 report and remain the backbone of reading instruction research.
Checklist for a phonics program
- A scope and sequence that lists every sound pattern in order.
- Explicit teaching: the program tells children the sound, rather than hoping they discover it.
- Decodable readers matched to each lesson.
- Spelling and writing practice using the same patterns.
- Review built in, so early patterns are not forgotten.
- Short daily lessons, typically 15 to 30 minutes for young children.
Red flags
- Memorizing large lists of sight words before phonics.
- Encouraging children to guess from pictures or the first letter.
- Leveled books that use patterns children have not learned.
Programs, apps and tutoring
Boxed programs for parents, school curricula, apps and tutors can all work if they follow the checklist. Apps are best as extra practice, within healthy screen-time limits. If a child struggles despite good instruction, talk to their teacher about a screening; see learning support. Homeschool families can compare programs in choosing a curriculum.
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Common questions
What is systematic phonics?
Teaching letter-sound relationships in a planned sequence, from simple to complex, with practice and review, rather than as they happen to come up.
What are decodable books?
Books written with only the sound patterns a child has already learned, so they can read them by sounding out instead of guessing.
What is three-cueing and why avoid it?
A method that asks children to guess words from pictures, sentence context or the first letter. Reading research does not support it as a way to identify words.
Can an app teach my child to read?
Apps can give useful practice, but most children need a structured program with an adult reading alongside them.