What type of activity promotes phonics skills through play?

Phonics games, such as matching letters with sounds, are highly effective in promoting phonics skills through play because they engage children in interactive and enjoyable activities. These games often incorporate elements of competition or collaboration, which can help sustain children's interest and motivation. By associating letters with their corresponding sounds in a playful context, children can reinforce their understanding of phonics concepts. This active engagement allows them to practice recognition and pronunciation of sounds, thereby enhancing their ability to decode and read words.

In contrast, the other activities, while beneficial in their own right, do not focus specifically on the playful exploration of phonics. Reading silently encourages comprehension and fluency but lacks the interactive element that solidifies phonics skills through play. Listening to audiobooks supports listening skills and vocabulary but does not involve the hands-on practice of phonics. Independent writing time might foster writing abilities but does not provide the same level of phonics-specific interaction as phonics games do.