Here is a growing list of phonics rules. There are some exceptions in our English Language when these rules will not work, but in the majority of cases the phonics rules will apply. I have tried where possible to give examples of a word using the phonics rule.
Help them to check words to see if the reading rule is correct. It gives the phonics rules a ‘magic’ like quality, like a secret code!
Basically always remember to help your child practice applying the new phonics rule to words in print.
Top 10 Phonics Rules
- Every word must contain a vowel. The vowels are: a, e, i, o, u, and y ( y is a consonant when at the beginning of a word). Eg: A, me, sit, no, up, my
- When a one syllable word ends in a consonant and has only one vowel, that vowel is short. Eg: mat, red, fish, sock, rug.
- When a syllable ends in a silent “e,” the vowel that comes before the silent “e” is long. Eg: lake, gene, kite, rope, use.
- When w is before “or”, the “or” says “er”. (work, word, – but not sword)
- Qu are always together. Eg: queen, quarrel, quick, quiet
- When “g” is followed by “e, i, or y,” it usually has the soft sound of “j.” Eg: gem, gym
- When “c” is followed by “e, i, or y,” it usually has the soft sound of “s.” Eg: city, cent, cygnet
- When a syllable ends in a vowel and is the only vowel, that vowel is usually long. Eg: “la/ter, me, I, o/pen, u/nique, my”.
- When 2 consonants join together and form one new sound, they are called ‘consonant digraphs’. They count as one sound. Eg: “ch, sh, th, ph, wh”.
- When a syllable has 2 vowels together, the first vowel is usually long and the second is silent. Eg: “rain, meat, coat, res/cue, day,”. NOTE: Diphthongs don’t follow this rule
Many phonics rules are in the free printables page
Phonics Tips
- You do not need to teach every phonics rule. Only teach the most common rules.
- It can be confusing to talk about “short & long vowels”to young children.
- Teach your child the short vowel sounds first.
- Then when they encounter a long vowel, as in the word /ice/ tell them, “That vowel says its own name.”
Teaching Phonics Tips
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