21/09/2026
"But my child knows all the letter sounds. Why can't he/she blend?"
This is a question I've encountered while teaching phonics.
Knowing individual sounds is only one part of learning to read.
A child may know:
/m/ /a/ /t/
but when you ask:
"Blend them together."
..they may say:
"M... A... T."
That's not unusual.
Blending is a skill that needs to be explicitly taught and practised.
As a Jolly Phonics teacher, I've learnt that children often need lots of repetition, modelling, listening practice and encouragement before blending becomes automatic.
So if your 4- or 5-year-old is struggling with blending, don't panic.
Instead:
✅ Practise short words
✅ Keep the sounds close together
✅ Avoid overwhelming the child
✅ Use games and physical activities
✅ Celebrate small progress
Most importantly, don't make reading feel like punishment.
Make it enjoyable.
Would you like me to share 5 simple blending activities you can do with your child at home? Comment "BLENDING."
