.png)
Learning to read is one of the most wondrous journeys of early childhood. That moment when letters become sounds, sounds become words and words become stories, is extraordinary to witness. For many parents, carers and educators, phonics can feel confusing and overwhelming. Knowing it matters is one thing, but knowing how to teach it well is another thing entirely.
The Phonics Woodland was created to change that.
This is your dedicated space within The Know and Play Space to truly understand how phonics works - not just what to teach, but why it matters, how children develop the roots of reading and how you can support that journey in a way that feels natural, playful and deeply rooted in how children actually learn.
When you understand phonics deeply, you do not just teach or support your child's reading journey. You walk alongside them - confidently, calmly and with the knowledge to truly see the wonder in every step of the progress they are making.
Inside The Phonics Woodland
you will find:
A clear, parent-friendly exploration of what phonics actually is and why it matters so much in the early years - because understanding the why changes everything about how you support your child.
Guidance on what needs to come before phonics - the essential roots of listening, language and sound awareness that so many programmes skip over, but that make all the difference to a child's reading journey. Strong roots before everything else.
A phase by phase journey through how children develop as readers, from the very earliest skills all the way through to fluent, confident, joyful reading - with each phase building purposefully and unhurriedly on the last.
A growing bank of videos, resources and activities to support every stage of the journey - added to regularly so that your access only becomes more valuable over time.
The Phonics Woodland gives you the knowledge to:
Truly understand where your child is on their reading journey, and what they need next.
Feel genuinely confident in supporting their phonics learning at home, no matter what education they are on.
Understand the common mistakes that are crucial to avoid.
Recognise the wonder in every step of your child's progress.
Support purposeful, playful, nature-rooted learning that builds the foundations of reading in ways your child will genuinely love.
The Gradual Launch
I have chosen to launch Know & Play's Phonics Woodland gradually, in a stepped and purposeful approach.
The earliest stages of phonics are the most important. This is where children learn to hear sounds, recognise patterns of language and begin to develop the auditory foundations that everything else grows from. These earliest foundations come before letters are introduced at all, because children who can hear and manipulate sounds confidently are far better prepared to connect those sounds to letters when the time comes.
When these foundations are secure, everything that follows becomes easier. When they are rushed or missed, gaps begin to form - gaps that are so much harder to fill later than they are to prevent now.
That is why throughout all of the Know & Play Phonics work, I have chosen to focus deeply on the earliest phases first, so that you have everything you need to support your child in the way that truly makes a difference. Strong roots build strong foundations.
Phase 3 and beyond are currently in development and will be added as The Phonics Woodland continues to grow.
If you join now, you will have access to everything as it is released at no extra cost, so you can begin the journey with confidence, knowing that the complete route is being built alongside you.
The Woodland Reader™
xxx
Know & Play Phonics Options
Access to The Phonics Woodland
49.99£A development-led, play-based phonics space designed to help you build strong early literacy foundations and support your child through each step of their reading journey, from birth to reader.- ONE OFF PAYMENT - no further charge for updates + additions
- Lifetime access - everything added in the future included
- Expert guidance from a Phonics specialist & Literacy lead
- Phase by Phase overview - Before Phonics to Phase 6+ beyond
- Understand what Phonics is and why it matters
- Know exactly what your child needs at every stage
- Activity bank - an organised collection for every phase
- Printable & digital resources included