Research into reading and language development highlights the importance of stories, purposeful talk and rich vocabulary in helping children develop language and build positive relationships with reading. But how can these benefits be brought into systematic phonics teaching?
Twinkl Phonics is a complete, DfE-validated systematic synthetic phonics programme that brings stories and systematic teaching together, weaving recurring characters and carefully crafted narratives into the learning journey. Rather than teaching sounds in isolation, its story-based approach gives children a meaningful context for learning, helping capture their attention, embed new learning and introduce vocabulary along the way.
Stories complement, rather than replace, explicit phonics instruction. Through regular blending practice and fully decodable texts matched to the programme’s progression, children have opportunities to apply the sounds they learn and develop their reading skills. In this way, Twinkl Phonics combines the structure educators need with stories that help bring learning to life.
By combining explicit, systematic teaching with engaging lessons, Twinkl Phonics helps children develop accurate decoding skills, build confidence and take their first steps towards becoming independent readers.
With clear progression from Level 1 through to Level 6, Twinkl Phonics supports children from early listening skills to increasingly fluent reading and spelling.
Educators are supported in delivering the programme through:
● Comprehensive planning
● Ready-to-teach lessons
● Physical teaching resources
● Professional development, including live and on-demand training
Twinkl Phonics Level 1 provides a playful, engaging approach to developing essential listening, attention and phonological awareness skills, laying the foundations for future reading success.
● 36 weeks of structured planning covering the seven aspects of phonological awareness
● Seven memorable toy-box characters who bring learning to life
● Play-based learning opportunities with provision enhancements to embed skills
● Flexible, multisensory resources designed to support all learners
Learning to decode is an important first step. Giving children opportunities to put those skills into practice helps them grow as readers.
Twinkl’s accompanying decodable reading scheme, Rhino Readers, supports this journey with carefully levelled books that help children practise their developing skills as they progress through early reading.
With a wide range of genres and themes, children can find stories that capture their interests and see themselves reflected in what they read. Before- and after-reading activities help educators support comprehension alongside decoding.
Available in print, as shareable eBooks through Twinkl Learner Logins, and via the Twinkl app, Rhino Readers gives children opportunities to revisit books at school and at home, practising their reading and building fluency.
SEND-adapted resources, digital and No-Tech teaching options, and flexible delivery models give educators different ways to support learners with a range of needs.
● Adapted planning breaks learning into smaller steps, with opportunities for repetition and a pace suited to individual learners.
● Multisensory activities and individualised assessment materials support learners in a range of ways and provide a structured, granular progression.
● Everything needed to enable educators to make phonics learning more accessible while supporting children as they develop their skills.
Consistent phonics teaching relies on educators understanding what effective practice looks like and how to put it into action.
Twinkl Phonics’ NEW on-demand professional development helps educators understand how to deliver lessons that keep children engaged while maintaining a clear focus on the sounds being taught. Alongside live training, it gives staff opportunities to build their knowledge, strengthen their practice and deliver phonics with confidence.
A validated phonics scheme works best when teaching, training and assessment work together. The new Twinkl Phonics packages bring these elements together to support pupil progress and staff development.
New features include:
● NEW assessment tool: Powered by Phonics Tracker™, giving schools visibility of children’s progress across the school.
● NEW on-demand professional development: Flexible training that staff can revisit to support their development.
With three packages of support, Essentials, Enhance and Embed, schools can choose the level of provision that best meets their needs.
Switching phonics programmes can feel like a big step, but we’re here to help make the transition easier. Our free online switching course, led by National Phonics Lead, Laura Brogan, provides practical guidance to support schools in making an informed decision and planning a smooth transition to Twinkl Phonics.
Explore the free switching course
Discover how Twinkl Phonics supports children’s journey towards confident, independent reading.
The Outdoor Curriculum in all its Glory by Early Excellence
Ace-Practitioner
Bring Autumn Term to life with music
Ace-Owner
follow us @TeachEarlyYrs
