Screen time doesn’t have to be passive or mindless. With the right content, it can spark learning and build foundational reading skills. Phonics—the method of teaching reading by developing learners’ ability to hear, identify, and manipulate sounds—is one of the most effective ways for children to learn to read. YouTube is filled with phonics content, but only a few videos manage to keep children focused, entertained, and learning. Here’s a curated list of YouTube videos that make phonics fun, clear, and memorable.
Step 1: Start with the Alphabet and Letter Sounds
Children need to first connect letters with their corresponding sounds. These videos turn repetition into rhythm, and memorization into movement.
1. “See It, Say It, Sign It” – Jack Hartmann
This video blends song, sight, and movement using American Sign Language to teach the alphabet. The multi-sensory input—seeing the letter, hearing its sound, signing the letter—strengthens memory and reinforces learning. Jack Hartmann’s channel is full of songs that stick long after the video ends.
2. “Phonics Song with TWO Words” – KidsTV123
Each letter comes with two clear examples, presented with images and audio. This video helps build associations quickly, especially for early learners who benefit from visual support and repetition.
3. “The Alphabet Song” – Have Fun Teaching
This video does more than recite the ABCs. With energetic music and clear visuals, it helps children connect each letter to its sound. The channel also offers individual videos for every letter, making it a reliable source for deeper practice.
4. “Jolly Phonics Sounds and Actions” – Little Learners
This video brings the widely used Jolly Phonics method to life. Each letter is introduced with its corresponding action, turning abstract sounds into physical expressions. Children remember more when they can act out what they hear.
Step 2: Build Words with CVC and Word Families
Once children can identify sounds, they’re ready to blend them into words. CVC (Consonant-Vowel-Consonant) words form the foundation for early reading.
5. “CVC Words” – Alphablocks
The Alphablocks are characters shaped like letters who form words by joining together. As they connect, their individual sounds blend, creating a word. This visual method helps children see how sounds combine to make meaning.
6. “Learn to Spell CVC Words” – Alphablocks
This longer compilation includes multiple examples of CVC words being formed and sounded out in different contexts. Children get the repetition and variety needed to grasp blending fully.
7. “What’s the Rule?” – Susan Jones Teaching
This channel doesn’t just repeat word lists—it explains phonics rules through mini-lessons and games. It’s helpful for parents who want structure and for kids who learn best with strategy and play.
Step 3: Progress to Digraphs, Blends, and Silent E
With the basics in place, children can handle more advanced phonics concepts like digraphs (e.g., “ch”, “sh”), consonant blends, and the silent “e” that changes how words are pronounced.
8. “Top Ten English Digraphs” – Scratch Garden
Scratch Garden delivers education with quirky animations and catchy tunes. This video covers common digraphs using humor and repetition, making it easier for children to absorb the rules.
9. “Mr. Thorne Does Phonics” – Mr. T’s Phonics
Featuring Mr. Thorne and his puppet companion Geraldine the Giraffe, this channel uses storytelling to teach phonics concepts. The visual and character-driven style keeps children engaged while explaining difficult sounds.
10. “Let’s Learn Blending with Consonant Blends” – Growing Primary
This video breaks down the concept of consonant blends, demonstrating how sounds work together at the beginning and end of words. It includes practice examples and visuals that highlight the sound combinations.
Step 4: Tackle Silent E with Rhythm and Story
The silent “e” often throws early readers off. These videos make the concept easier to understand through music and character-based explanations.
11. “Silent E” – The Bazillions
Using a toe-tapping melody, this song explains how adding an “e” to the end of a word changes the vowel sound. It’s direct, catchy, and effective.
12. “Silent E” – Smile and Learn
In this video, a superhero character shows the “power” of the silent “e.” The storytelling approach turns a phonics rule into a visual and emotional experience children can relate to.
Why These Videos Work
- Multi-sensory methods: Kids absorb more when they see, hear, and move.
- Repetition with variety: Key sounds and rules are repeated across formats and characters, reinforcing learning.
- Character-driven storytelling: Puppets, animations, and themed songs create emotional engagement.
- Clear structure: Each video targets a specific skill, making it easy to build a structured learning routine.
Suggested Viewing Path
To maximize impact, follow a progression that builds one skill upon another:
- Alphabet & Letter Sounds
- “See It, Say It, Sign It” (Jack Hartmann)
- “Phonics Song with TWO Words” (KidsTV123)
- Sound Blending and CVC Words
- “CVC Words” (Alphablocks)
- “Learn to Spell CVC Words” (Alphablocks)
- Phonics Rules and Word Families
- “Top Ten English Digraphs” (Scratch Garden)
- “Let’s Learn Blending with Consonant Blends” (Growing Primary)
- Advanced Phonics
- “Silent E” (The Bazillions)
- “Silent E” (Smile and Learn)
- Supplemental Reinforcement
- “What’s the Rule?” (Susan Jones Teaching)
- “Mr. Thorne Does Phonics” (Mr. T’s Phonics)
Phonics success doesn’t require expensive tools or apps. These YouTube videos combine rhythm, visuals, and clear instruction to support early literacy in a way children look forward to. Each view is a step toward reading confidence, sparked not by pressure, but by joy.
