The U.S. practice guide teaches each letter together with its most common sound, a few sounds at a time, once a child can pick out single sounds in spoken words. A national review in England advised teaching letter names as part of early phonics, since children meet the names everywhere.
The guide says to teach each letter together with its sound, a few sounds at a time, once a child can pick out single sounds in spoken words.
In the source’s own words“Once students have learned to isolate phonemes in speech, teach students each letter of the alphabet and their corresponding sounds, working with a few phonemes at a time”
The guide says to start with the most common sound for each letter and to bring in letter sounds one at a time.
In the source’s own words“start with the most common sound each letter represents, and introduce each letter sound one at a time.”
The guide gives five sounds as an example of a first group to teach.
In the source’s own words“For example, the first group of phonemes taught could be /s/, /m/, /d/, /p/, /a/.”
In the guide's routine the adult starts by naming the letter and shows it in both capital and small form.
In the source’s own words“For each phoneme, begin by naming the letter or letters that represent the phoneme (e.g., p for /p/ or s and h for /sh/). Introduce the letters in both uppercase and lowercase.”
The panel recommends building on the letters a child already knows, such as those in the child's name, and adding new ones.
In the source’s own words“The panel recommends building upon this foundation by reinforcing familiar letters and introducing new ones.”
The Rose Review reported that children often learn letter names before letter sounds, and that five-year-olds who know more names also know more sounds.
In the source’s own words“research indicates that children often learn letter names earlier than they learn letter sounds and that five year olds who know more letter names also know more letter sounds.”
The Rose Review advised teaching letter names as part of early phonics work, because children meet letter names in and out of school.
In the source’s own words“Given that children will meet many instances outside, as well as within, their settings and schools where letter names are used, it makes sense to teach them within the programme …”
We read each of these ourselves on October 9, 2026. Follow the links to read them too.
“Does not know the letter sounds, or learns them and forgets them”
Eight Sounds That Stay is a full 10-day plan, with a short video that shows you every step. The goal: on day 10 your child says the sound of eight letters, in any order, a day after the last lesson, and uses them to read short words never seen before. It is the goal, not a promise.
