Phase 2 Letters and Sounds

Letters and Sounds Phase 2

In Phase 2 children are introduced to letters (and the corresponding sounds) for the first time. This page provides an overview of the main teaching content as well as a selection of resources which families can use to support their child at home.

Phase 2 Teaching Overview

In Phase 2 children are taught 19 letters grouped into 5 sets. One set will generally be taught in one week.

Set 1   s / a / t / p
Set 2   i / n / m / d
Set 3 g / o / c / k
Set 4   ck / e / u / r
Set 5   h / b / f, ff / l, ll / ss

Children are encouraged to begin 'blending' sounds into words straight away. Therefore, having been taught only Set 1, children can make (and read) words like at, sat & pat.
Nonsense words, such as 'tas' are also acceptable as they allow children to explore sounds freely. Mis-spelt words (which are phonetically correct) are also allowable e.g. pas. In time, children will be shown the correct spelling. Remember, the initial focus is on reading; blending separate sounds into words.

As children learn all the Sets in Phase 2, they will be able to read an increasing number of words. The 'Reading Word List', in the resources section opposite, sets out the range of words which can be read once each additional Set has been taught.

You will notice that 'double consonants' (ff / ss / ll) are taught early. This illustrates to children that sometimes more than one letter can represent a single sound. In the case of these letters it is the same sound as the single letter represents. In Phase 3 children are taught that this is not always the case.

The grapheme 'ck' is taught in Phase 2 as it features in many of the early words that children learn e.g. back, neck and sack.