How to Identify a Child Who Is Struggling with Phonics – and What to Do Next in Class

why phonics plays a vital role in helping children develop strong reading and spelling skills. However, every child learns at a different pace. While some quickly grasp letter sounds and word patterns, others may need additional support to build these skills.

Recognising the signs of difficulty at an early stage can make a significant difference to a child’s learning journey. Teachers who understand what to look for can provide timely guidance and prevent children from falling behind.

This blog explains how to identify children who may be struggling with phonics, the possible reasons behind these challenges, and practical classroom strategies that can help them become confident readers.

How Can You Tell If a Child Is Struggling with Phonics?

Children often make mistakes while learning phonics, especially when they are introduced to new sounds or unfamiliar words. These occasional errors are a normal part of the learning process.

A child who is struggling with phonics may show some of the following signs:

• Difficulty connecting letters with their corresponding sounds.
• Trouble blending individual sounds to read simple words.
• Guessing words instead of decoding them correctly.
• Finding it hard to recognise familiar words independently.
• Avoiding reading aloud during classroom activities.
• Taking much longer than classmates to read simple words.
• Frequently forgetting letter sounds that have already been taught.

These behaviours do not always mean a child has a learning difficulty. However, if they continue over time, they may indicate that the child needs additional guidance rather than more repetition of the same teaching method.

Teachers looking to improve their classroom strategies often enrol in a phonics course for teachers to better identify learning gaps and support children at different stages of reading development.

Early observation allows teachers to adjust their teaching approach before small learning gaps become bigger obstacles. With the right classroom strategies and a good understanding of phonics instruction, teachers can help children develop stronger reading skills and greater confidence. This is one reason many educators choose a phonics teacher training course to strengthen their teaching methods and better support learners with different needs.

What Are the Early Signs Teachers Should Never Ignore?

Children who need extra support with phonics often show clear signs during everyday classroom activities. These signs may appear while reading aloud, spelling simple words, or participating in language exercises. Identifying them early helps teachers provide the right support before reading difficulties become more challenging.

The following table highlights some common classroom observations and what they may suggest.

These signs do not always point to a learning difficulty. They simply indicate that a child may benefit from extra observation, guided practice, and a teaching method that matches their learning style.

According to Reading Rockets, early identification and targeted phonics instruction can improve children’s reading development and reduce long-term literacy challenges.

Developing these observation skills through a phonics teacher training course can help teachers identify reading difficulties early and choose the most effective classroom strategies for each child.

Why Do Some Children Find Phonics Difficult?

There is no single reason why a child may struggle with phonics. Every learner brings different experiences, strengths, and challenges into the classroom.

Some common reasons include:

• Children learn at different speeds, While some quickly recognise sounds and patterns, others need more time and repeated practice.
• Limited exposure to books and reading activities at home can slow the development of early literacy skills.
• Memory or sound-processing challenges may make it harder to remember letter sounds or blend them into words.
• Low confidence can discourage children from reading aloud or attempting unfamiliar words, even when they could learn.
• Attention-related difficulties may affect a child’s ability to focus during phonics lessons and retain new concepts.

Teachers should avoid making assumptions or giving children labels based on these challenges. A child who needs extra support is not necessarily a weak learner. Careful observation, consistent encouragement, and effective teaching strategies often lead to noticeable improvement over time.

Many educators strengthen these skills through phonics training for teachers, which equips them with practical techniques to identify different learning needs and adapt classroom instruction accordingly.

Master phonics teaching with expert teacher training

What Should You Do When You Notice These Challenges in Class?

Once you identify that a child is struggling with phonics, the next step is to provide support that matches their learning needs. Small changes in your teaching approach can make lessons more effective and help children gain confidence over time.

Here are some practical strategies you can use in the classroom:

• Observe before intervening. Spend time understanding where the child is struggling. Notice whether the difficulty is with recognising sounds, blending words, or remembering letter patterns.

• Break lessons into smaller steps. Introduce one sound or concept at a time instead of covering too much in a single session. This allows children to master each skill before moving forward.

• Use multisensory teaching methods. Combine speaking, listening, writing, and hands-on activities. For example, children can trace letters while saying the sounds aloud or use flashcards and objects to reinforce learning.

• Provide extra guided reading practice. Read together in small groups or one-on-one so children receive immediate support when they encounter unfamiliar words.

• Encourage repetition without pressure. Regular revision strengthens phonics skills. Keep practice sessions short, engaging, and positive rather than making children feel they are being tested.

• Celebrate small improvements. Recognising progress, even in small steps, builds confidence and motivates children to continue learning.

• Communicate with parents when needed. Sharing simple activities that families can do at home creates consistency between classroom learning and home practice.

According to the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), structured literacy instruction combined with regular practice can significantly support early reading development.

How Can Teachers Make Phonics Lessons Easier for Every Learner?

An inclusive classroom helps every child participate with confidence, regardless of their learning pace. When lessons are engaging and flexible, children are more likely to stay motivated and improve their reading skills.

Teachers can make phonics learning more effective by:

• Creating a positive and supportive classroom – Encourage children to view mistakes as part of the learning process. Positive feedback and patience help build confidence, making children more willing to participate in reading and phonics activities.

• Using games, storytelling, songs, and word-building activities – Interactive learning keeps children engaged and makes it easier for them to remember letter sounds and word patterns.

• Including visual, auditory, and hands-on learning experiences – Use flashcards, picture books, letter tiles, sound cards, and tracing activities to reinforce phonics concepts. Presenting information in different ways helps children with varied learning styles understand and retain new skills.

• Following a consistent teaching routine – Begin each lesson with a quick revision, introduce one new concept at a time, and end with guided practice. A predictable routine helps children stay focused and strengthens their understanding through regular reinforcement.

• Monitoring progress regularly – Observe children’s reading, spelling, and sound recognition during classroom activities. Keeping simple progress records helps teachers identify learning gaps early and adjust instruction to provide timely support.

Regular phonics training for teachers also helps educators introduce new teaching methods that keep lessons engaging while meeting the needs of different learners.

It provides practical teaching techniques, assessment methods, and learner-centred strategies that help educators create engaging phonics lessons and achieve better learning outcomes for every child.

Why Does Professional Training Help Teachers Support Every Child Better?

Professional training gives teachers the skills and confidence to support children with different learning needs. It goes beyond teaching letter sounds and focuses on creating effective classroom experiences that help every child succeed.

According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), systematic and explicit phonics instruction helps children build strong word recognition, spelling, and reading comprehension skills. Teachers who understand these evidence-based practices are better equipped to support learners with varying abilities.

Develop a deeper understanding of phonics instruction – Teachers learn how children build reading and spelling skills and why some learners need different teaching approaches.

• Identify learning gaps with confidence – A phonics teacher training course helps educators recognise early signs of difficulty and provide timely support before small challenges become bigger learning barriers.

• Use practical classroom techniques – Through a phonics course for teachers, educators learn engaging activities, assessment methods, and teaching strategies that can be applied during everyday lessons.

• Adapt lessons for different learners – Professional training enables teachers to modify instruction based on each child’s learning pace, strengths, and areas that need improvement.

• Stay updated with effective teaching practices – Ongoing phonics training for teachers introduces new ideas and proven classroom methods that make phonics lessons more engaging and effective.

• Create better learning outcomes – Well-trained teachers are better prepared to build children’s confidence, improve reading skills, and create a positive learning environment where every child can succeed.

Helping Every Child Build Strong Reading Skills

Recognising phonics difficulties early gives children the best chance to become confident readers. By observing classroom behaviour, providing timely support, and adapting teaching methods, teachers can help children overcome challenges before they affect long-term learning. With patience, consistent practice, and the right instructional approach, every child can build stronger reading and spelling skills.

At National Academy, we believe that confident teachers create confident learners. Our phonics teacher training course is designed to equip educators with practical teaching strategies, classroom-ready activities, and the confidence to support children with different learning needs.

If you are looking for phonics training for teachers that focuses on practical classroom skills and effective teaching techniques, explore our programme and take the next step in your teaching journey.