Learning Literacy

Phonics toys turn letters into objects a child can hold, trace and move around. Wooden alphabet puzzles, magnetic letters, tracing boards and word games are gathered here for children from about 2 to 6, so each letter shape becomes linked to the sound it makes.

From letter names to letter sounds

Around 2 or 3, the alphabet inset puzzles are the easiest way in, and the closest to classic Montessori education toys. Your child lifts a letter by its knob, runs a finger round the edge and drops it back in its place. Say the sound as they go, “sss” for s rather than “ess”, just as they will hear it at reception. The safari board adds an animal for each letter, and the vowels and consonants puzzle shows the two families in different colours.

Saying the sound while tracing

The tracing boards come in lowercase cursive and uppercase print, each with a wooden stylus. Say the sound, not the name, while the stylus follows the groove: hand and ear then learn the letter together, without the worry of a wobbly pencil line. Choose the style that matches the handwriting taught at your child's school.

Blending sounds into first words, from 4 to 6

• Letter stamps with ink pads (4+): print names, labels or a shopping list.
• Picture matching puzzle (5+): pair a drawing with its first letter or its whole word.
• Word building grid with letter cubes (6+): turn the cubes to spell short words and swap one sound to make a new one, such as cat, hat, hot.
• Magnetic letters, as a single alphabet set or in an activity box with numbers (6+), for the fridge or a small board.

For the car or a café, the illustrated silicone alphabet colouring mat rolls up in a bag and can be wiped clean. A small habit helps more than a long session: leave two or three letters out on a tray and pick up the game whenever your child reaches for one.