Make the first activity easy
Let your child choose a familiar sound. Show one example, then give them room to try. End with a word or activity they enjoyed.
Use audio as a shared model
Listen first, repeat if useful and keep the device at a comfortable volume. If a voice is unavailable, the text still shows the task. Avoid adding an extra vowel to consonant sounds.
Keep sessions short and encouraging
Try a few minutes. Praise effort you can describe: “You heard the first sound” or “You checked that word again.” Stars and badges can be fun without becoming a target your child must meet.
Understand the save boundary
Progress belongs to the current browser and device. Switching browsers, clearing site data or private browsing can affect what is saved. There are no child accounts or cloud synchronisation.
Take learning off screen
Write c, a and t on paper. Ask your child to build cat, then change c to m. Say the sounds and talk about what the words mean.
TAKE THE PLAY OFF SCREEN
A little plan for your first five days.
Meet a sound. Blend a word. Find a rhyme. Our printable parent pack gives you one simple activity a day, with examples and answers.
A LITTLE PRACTICE. A BIG ADVENTURE.
Ready to meet your next sound?
Open Phonics Play and explore one small activity together.