Let's have fun with phonics

If your child is in Year 1, you may have heard about the Phonics Screening Check. For many parents, it can sound a little intimidating, but it doesn't need to be.

The check is simply designed to see how well children can use phonics to read words and sound out unfamiliar ones. With a little practice at home and plenty of encouragement, most children approach it with confidence.

What Is the Phonics Screening Check?

The Phonics Screening Check is a short assessment taken by children in Year 1 (ages 5–6) all across England. During the check, children are asked to read 40 words aloud. Some are real words and some are made-up "alien" words designed to test whether children can use their phonics knowledge rather than relying on memory. The assessment is carried out one-to-one with a teacher in a familiar environment and usually only takes a few minutes to complete.

Why Is Phonics Important?

Phonics gives children the building blocks they need to become confident readers. When children understand how letters and sounds work together, they can:

• Read new words independently
• Improve their spelling skills
• Build reading confidence
• Develop stronger literacy skills for the future
• Like any skill, regular practice makes a big difference.

How Can Parents Help at Home?

The good news is that preparing for the Phonics Screening Check doesn't have to feel like studying.

Simple activities such as:

• Reading together every day
• Practising letter sounds
• Blending sounds into words
• Playing phonics games
• Using worksheets and reading activities

can all help reinforce what your child is learning at school.

We have created a fantastic new worksheet for all parents to download and practice with their kids, even 10–15 minutes of practice a few times a week can help build confidence.

>>Print our Free Phonics Practice Worksheets <<

At Labels4School, we're passionate about helping children feel prepared and confident for school. To support families, we've put together a selection of free phonics practice worksheets that you can download and use at home.

These activities are designed to be:

✅ Fun and engaging
✅ Easy to complete with a parent
✅ Suitable for Year 1 children
✅ Great for building confidence before the Phonics Screening Check

Download Your Free Worksheets

📥 Download our free phonics practice workbook here

Small Steps Build Big Confidence

Remember, the Phonics Screening Check is only one small part of your child's learning journey. 

The most important thing is helping your child enjoy reading and feel confident when tackling new words. With a little practice, plenty of encouragement, and some fun activities at home, you'll be helping them build skills that will benefit them for years to come.

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