Systematic and Explicit Phonics: Programs Reading Success

What is Systematic and Explicit Phonics?
When it comes to teaching children to read, few methods are as effective and well-researched as systematic and explicit phonics. If you're an educator or parent looking to understand how to best support children in their reading journey, knowing what systematic and explicit phonics is, and why it matters, is crucial.

Understanding PhonicsAt its core, phonics is a method of teaching reading by developing a child’s ability to hear, identify, and manipulate sounds, or phonemes, in language. Phonics helps children connect sounds to the letters that represent them, enabling them to decode new words when reading.

However, not all phonics instruction is the same. The terms "systematic" and "explicit" describe the specific way in which phonics is taught, and they’re key to its success.

What is Systematic Phonics?Systematic phonics refers to the teaching of phonics in a planned, sequential manner. Instead of randomly introducing phonics concepts, systematic phonics follows a carefully structured progression. It begins with teaching the most basic sound-letter correspondences (like single consonants and short vowels) before moving on to more complex patterns (like digraphs and vowel combinations).

This structured approach ensures that children build on what they’ve previously learned, providing them with a solid foundation and reducing confusion. By following a logical order, systematic phonics helps children make steady, measurable progress.

What is Explicit Phonics?Explicit phonics refers to the direct and clear instruction of phonics rules and patterns. Instead of expecting children to figure out the patterns of phonics on their own, explicit phonics teaches them the relationships between letters and sounds. This means the teacher takes an active role in delivering lessons that clearly explain how the sounds of language correspond to written letters and groups of letters.

For example, in an explicit phonics lesson, a teacher might directly explain how the letters "ch" together make a unique sound, different from "c" and "h" individually. Children are not left to infer this on their own but are explicitly told this phonics rule, helping them decode words with this pattern in the future.

Why Systematic and Explicit Phonics WorksResearch consistently shows that systematic and explicit phonics is one of the most effective methods for teaching children to read, especially for those who may struggle with reading or have learning difficulties.
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• Builds Confidence: With a clear progression and direct instruction, children feel more confident in their reading abilities as they gain mastery over specific skills.
• Reduces Guesswork: By explicitly teaching the sounds and rules, children don’t have to guess or rely on memorisation for every new word they encounter.
• Supports All Learners: While some children may intuitively pick up reading, others need structured and explicit guidance. This method ensures all children, regardless of their natural aptitude for reading, receive the necessary tools to succeed.

Examples of Systematic and Explicit Phonics in Practice

• Teaching CVC words: Children might start by learning simple consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) words like "cat" or "dog." They are explicitly taught the sounds of each letter and how blending them together forms a word.
• Blending and Segmenting: Teachers guide children to blend sounds into words or segment words into individual sounds. For instance, the teacher might say, "What word do these sounds make? /c/ /a/ /t/?"
• Introduction of Complex Patterns: Once foundational sounds are mastered, children move on to learn more complex patterns like "sh," "th," or vowel digraphs like "ea" in "seat." Again, these are taught explicitly, so there is no ambiguity.

Why It's Important for Early Literacy

Developing strong reading skills is essential for a child’s success across all academic areas. Reading fluency directly impacts a child’s ability to comprehend texts, engage with content in other subjects, and feel confident in their academic abilities. Systematic and explicit phonics plays a foundational role in building these skills early on.

For educators, adopting a systematic and explicit phonics approach ensures that every child gets the clear, sequenced instruction they need to succeed. For parents, understanding this method empowers you to ask the right questions about your child's reading instruction and to support them effectively at home.

In Australia, there are several high-quality phonics programs that focus on systematic and explicit instruction. These programs are commonly used in schools to help children develop strong foundational reading skills. Here are a few notable examples:

1. Sounds-Write

• Overview: Sounds-Write is a highly-structured, evidence-based phonics program that teaches reading and spelling through a systematic and explicit approach. It is designed for teachers, parents, and educators to help children and adults improve their literacy skills.
• Features: The program focuses on the sound-to-letter correspondence and teaches children to blend, segment, and manipulate sounds to develop reading fluency.
• Usage: Sounds-Write is used in many Australian schools and is widely recognised for its effectiveness in improving reading outcomes, particularly for struggling readers. Children can also access the Sounds-Write program by a Literacy tutor trained in this program.

2. Jolly Phonics

• Overview: Jolly Phonics is a well-established phonics program that uses a multi-sensory approach to teaching literacy. It is popular in early childhood education settings across Australia.
• Features: The program introduces children to the 42 main letter sounds, teaching them to blend these sounds to form words. It includes actions, songs, and visuals to engage students.
• Usage: Many schools and preschools across Australia use Jolly Phonics as part of their early literacy programs, and it has been praised for its engaging and child-friendly approach.

3. MiniLit (and MultiLit)

• Overview: MiniLit (Meeting Initial Needs in Literacy) is an evidence-based early intervention program specifically designed to support struggling readers in their first years of school. MultiLit (Making Up Lost Time in Literacy) is the umbrella organisation that also offers other programs, such as MacqLit (for older students) and PreLit (for pre-schoolers).
• Features: MiniLit offers a systematic approach to teaching phonics, focusing on letter-sound knowledge and decoding skills. It is particularly aimed at children in Years K-2 who are at risk of reading failure.
• Usage: Widely used across Australian schools, especially for literacy intervention. MiniLit is often implemented in small group settings or one-on-one to provide targeted support.

Why These Programs Matter

All of these programs follow the principles of systematic and explicit phonics instruction, providing children with a strong foundation for reading success. Whether through direct teaching, engaging activities, or intervention programs, these tools help children progress confidently along their reading journey.

If you're looking to choose a phonics program, it's important to consider the needs of your child or students, as well as the resources and training available to educators. Programs like Sounds-Write, MiniLit, and Jolly Phonics have proven their effectiveness, ensuring that children receive the best start in their literacy development.