The ReadBorn blog
Plain help for parents teaching a child to read with phonics. Every post answers one real question and ends with something to try tonight. The parent guides sit here too, so this is the one list of everything we have written.
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Phonics words, explained
CVC, blending, digraphs, heart words and more, each in one plain sentence.
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How children learn to read, one level at a time
The ten levels a child climbs, from letter sounds to real books, in order.
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How to choose a phonics app
Six questions that show whether an app teaches reading or keeps children busy.
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How to teach blending, with a free printable card
Three moves that turn letter sounds into words, and a free printable card.
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CVC words: the first real words a child can read
Cat, sun and map: why short vowel words come first and how to practise them.
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Consonant blends: when two letters stand together
Fr, st and gl: two letters side by side, each keeping its own sound.
ReadBorn is an iPhone and iPad app that teaches children to read by phonics for ages 3 to 8 and up. The child sounds words out loud, the app listens with Apple's speech recognition and helps only when they get stuck, and it hatches a baby animal for every class the child finishes.