What is an effective way to develop children's phonics skills?

An effective way to develop children's phonics skills is through systematic phonics instruction, which involves teaching letter-sound relationships in a structured manner. This approach enables children to understand how letters correspond to sounds, which is foundational for reading and spelling. Systematic instruction typically follows a progression, starting with simple letter-sound pairs and gradually introducing more complex patterns.

This method also integrates practice opportunities where children can apply their phonics knowledge in reading and writing activities, reinforcing their learning through active engagement. By systematically teaching these relationships, children develop strong decoding skills necessary for reading fluency, comprehension, and overall literacy success.

Other approaches, such as free writing without guidance or relying solely on visual aids, do not provide the structured support necessary for children to fully grasp phonics. Rote memorization may lead to word recognition but does not equip children with the skills to decode unfamiliar words or understand the underlying principles of how language works. Thus, systematic phonics instruction remains the most effective strategy for developing children's phonics skills.