In this episode

  • Phonics teaches children to connect the sounds they hear with the letters they see; it is the foundation for reading and speaking English clearly.
  • Every week students learn new sounds. Each lesson starts with speaking and brainstorming, then uses vocabulary, songs, stories and activities.
  • In Grade 1, letters are taught in a specific order rather than ABC order, so that children can blend and read real words such as sat, pin, tap and ant after the first six sounds.
  • Turkish-speaking children often add an extra vowel to consonants at the start of a word; teaching pure letter sounds helps them read, spell and pronounce accurately.
  • Five things to do at home: building letters by hand, a sound treasure hunt, letter matching, a sound jump game, and reliable phonics channels.
  • Learning to read takes time: home practice should be short, positive and feel like a game, not a test.

Transcript

Hello, moms and dads, and welcome to today's podcast segment. This is Ms. Deena, your Grade 1 skills and Phonics teacher. Today we want to explain how we teach Phonics and how it supports your children's learning.

Every week, students learn new sounds. Before introducing a sound, the lesson begins with a speaking and brainstorming session. This way, students share words they already know that use that sound. This helps identify what students understand and which letters need more practice. To help students remember each sound, lessons include vocabulary words, Phonics songs, stories and activities. Every class starts with a quick sound game or flashcard activity to get all students speaking and active from the beginning.

But why do we even teach Phonics? Why is Phonics so important? Phonics is the foundation for reading and speaking English clearly. It teaches children how to connect the sounds they hear to the letters they see.

In Grade 1, letters are taught in a specific order, starting with sounds like /s/, rather than in ABC order. This specific order allows students to start blending and reading real words immediately: with just these first six sounds, students can read words like sat, pin, tap and ant.

We also place a strong focus on using pure letter sounds. When children, especially Turkish native speakers, learn consonant sounds, their vocal cords naturally want to release air with an extra vowel sound attached. In Turkish phonology, double consonant combinations at the beginning of a word do not occur naturally. To make these words easier to pronounce, Turkish children often add a short "uh" sound before or after the consonant. This is why you often hear children say "suh-tar" instead of star, "suh-poon" instead of spoon, or "suh-kool" instead of school. In class, we teach the letter S as a pure, quiet hissing sound, /s/, without that extra "uh" at the end. Eliminating that extra vowel sound prevents confusion when blending, helping children read, spell and pronounce words accurately and smoothly, step by step.

So, what's our learning goal? The main goal in Grade 1 is to move students from recognising single sounds to blending sounds together to read words. In class, the main focus is on reading, along with basic letter writing to reinforce sound recognition. Students learn to listen to individual sounds like /c/, /a/, /t/ and blend them together to read the word cat. Phonics works both ways: blending sounds helps children read, while breaking words apart into individual sounds helps them spell. Through stories, books and class activities, students develop strong reading skills, clear pronunciation and accurate spelling.

So, how can you as a parent help support learning at home? Parents play an important role in supporting learning at home. Here are some simple, hands-on activities where your child takes the lead.

Number one: hands-on letter building. Have your child form the letter of the week using play dough or dry pasta, or by tracing it with their finger in a tray of sand or flour. Tactile practice builds strong muscle memory for letter shapes.

Number two: sound treasure hunt. Challenge your child to look around the room and bring you three objects that match the letter, image or sound they learned at school.

Number three: letter match-up. Write target letters on sticky notes or paper cups, and ask your child to match them to pictures in a book or to household items.

Number four: sound jump game. Draw target letters on paper plates on the floor. Name an object or show a picture, and have your child jump onto the correct letter.

Number five: use reliable Phonics channels to make sure your child hears accurate native pronunciation. Use trusted YouTube channels at home. Try Alphablocks, excellent BBC animations that teach pure letter sounds and blending through short stories. Or Steve and Maggie's Wow English TV, with highly engaging stories, clear native English pronunciation and fun repetition that children love. Or you can try Super Simple ABCs: gentle, clear songs and animations designed specifically for early language learners to connect sounds to letters effortlessly. Or Jolly Phonics songs and actions: this channel has catchy tunes paired with physical actions that link sounds directly to memory.

Most importantly, moms and dads, please remember that learning to read takes time. Every child absorbs language at their own pace, so it is crucial not to rush them. Home practice should feel like a fun game, not a formal test. Children learn best when they are relaxed and stress-free. If your child struggles or needs help, please do not panic or show frustration. Offer gentle support, guide them patiently and celebrate their effort. Keeping practice short, positive and enjoyable builds confidence and a lifelong love of reading.

Thank you for your continued support at home. Together, we are building strong, confident readers. Until next time, take care.