Phonics, is a methodology implemented in educational institutes to teach children to read and write. It does not use rote learning, that is memorising of letter and words, but associating sound with letters, forming words and reading. Phonics is taught in 4 major methods; Synthetic, Analytical, Analogy and Embedded.
Let us look at what are these four above mentioned methods here below:
• Synthetic Phonics: The method of teaching and learning, where sounds (phonemes) are associated with letters (graphemes), are pronounced in isolation and then put together (synthesized).
• Analytical Phonics: This method of teaching is associated with reading of words without isolation of each sound.
• Analogy Phonics: This methodology teaches to use parts of words that the learner has already learnt to read other words.
• Embedded Phonics: This method focuses on teaching phonics in context to what one is reading.
Children, can comprehend and learn better if phonics is taught in sequence, and this definitely helps them read as well as write the spellings quicker and better.
The sequence is as follows:
• Consonant sound
• Short vowel sounds
• Digraphs
• Blends
• Long vowel sounds
• Other vowel patterns
• Patterns of Syllable
• Affixes
Like everything has its pros and cons, so does phonics methodology. The pros being, correct recognition and pronunciation of words, builds vocabulary, ans improves the child’s spelling ability, while the cons are that children are able to read words and texts but do not understand it.
English is a language that is not just linked with phonics, but there are also words that do not match with phonic sounds, hence causing confusion in children when they come across non-phonic words. Nevertheless, phonics helps children relate to letters and read easy words, especially in kindergarteners.
Having said this, we need to understand that every child is unique and has a different level of learning. We need to observe, understand and then work on our approach of teaching.