Frequently Asked Questions
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From sounds to stories: expanding vocabulary at every step.
How to Teach Vocabulary with Footstep Phonics
Footstep Phonics builds vocabulary through constant, contextual exposure across all components of the program. The method is twofold: our student workbooks consistently teach new vocabulary by introducing labelled pictures and target words for each new phonics sound. Simultaneously, each story in the levelled readers teaches new high-frequency words and story-specific vocabulary in a meaningful context. This dual approach ensures words are learned not in isolation, but as part of a growing reading toolkit, solidifying both meaning and usage.
Read through our FAQs below for more ideas on how to teach reading.
What is FootStep Phonics?
FootStep Phonics is a comprehensive 6-Step synthetic phonics curriculum designed to develop successful, confident early readers. It includes Student Workbooks, Flashcards, Readers for Every Sound, Lesson Plans and Classroom Posters, employing a multi-sensory approach to bring phonics sessions to life.
How is the FootStep Phonics course structured?
The course is structured into 6 Steps, each focusing on different aspects of phonics and reading skills. It progresses from initial sounds and letter recognition to more complex concepts like digraphs, trigraphs, and sentence building.
How does FootStep Phonics recognise student progress?
Upon successful completion of each workbook, students receive a FootStep Phonics “Certificate of Achievement” to add to their portfolio.
How does FootStep Phonics support different learning paces?
The program allows for flexibility in starting levels. Teachers can assess individual abilities and place students at the most suitable step, whether working with individuals or whole classes.
Is FootStep Phonics suitable for SEND children?
Yes, FootStep Phonics is designed to be flexible and inclusive, making it suitable for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Here’s how our program supports SEND learners:
Inclusive Design: While we don’t cater to specific needs, our scheme aims to be inclusive for all learners.
Adaptable Resources: Our wealth of suggested resources can be easily modified to meet the diverse needs of SEND children.
Multisensory Approach: We use a variety of learning methods to support different learning styles and needs.
How to Teach Reading with Footstep Phonics
Footstep Phonics uses a systematic, cumulative approach that simplifies the complex process of learning to read into manageable, successful steps. The program begins with foundational phonemic awareness and letter-sound mastery, then builds sequentially through blending, digraphs, and advanced spelling patterns. Each new skill is taught explicitly, practised with our unique flashcards, and then immediately applied in our carefully levelled readers. This direct connection between the isolated skill and contextual reading is the core of our method, ensuring children experience the success of using their new knowledge to decode real stories, and gives you the edge on how to teach reading.
What age group is FootStep Phonics suitable for?
FootStep Phonics is best suited for children aged 4 and above. However, the program offers flexibility, allowing children to begin at different levels based on individual ability assessments.
Why doesn’t FootStep Phonics introduce letters in alphabetical order?
The letter order in FootStep Phonics has been carefully chosen to help children form words from an early stage. This approach aligns with recommendations from various government education departments, including the UK.
What phonics method does FootStep Phonics use?
FootStep Phonics uses the synthetic phonics method, which teaches children to read by blending different letter sounds (phonemes) to make words. This method helps children synthesise words and use this information to process and spell new words they hear or read.
How does FootStep Phonics approach class organisation for teaching?
FootStep Phonics emphasises the importance of using assessment results to guide your teaching approach. While the program doesn’t strictly mandate a single method, it recommends grouping students by pace and skill level. This approach ensures that instruction builds effectively on prior knowledge.
The ideal grouping strategy may vary:
- Whole-class teaching
- Two distinct groups
- Several smaller groups
The key is flexibility. Your classroom organisation should adapt to your specific setting and the diverse needs of your students. Regular assessments will help you make informed decisions about the most effective grouping strategy for your learners and how to teach reading.
What role do the levelled readers play in the program?
Our levelled readers are the essential “practice field” where isolated phonics skills become real reading ability. The decodable text allows for immediate, successful application, which builds confidence, fluency, and comprehension. As children progress through the program, the readers gradually increase in complexity, introducing new high-frequency words and longer sentences in perfect lockstep with the lesson sequence.
As a parent, how do I use the readers and lessons together?
After completing a lesson on a new sound (e.g., /sh/), you would use the corresponding flashcards for practice. Then, you introduce the matching levelled reader that features that sound prominently. Sit with your child, encourage them to “use their sounds” to decode the words, and offer gentle guidance. The reader provides the meaningful context and repetition needed to move the skill from short-term practice to long-term memory, which is the best way how to teach reading.
Built For The Future
6 Practical Tips on How to Teach Reading Effectively
Teaching a child to read is one of the most rewarding journeys.
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Start with Sounds, Not Letter Names
Before focusing on the alphabet, play games that focus on the sounds in words (phonemic awareness). Ask, “What’s the first sound you hear in ‘moon’?” (/m/). This auditory skill is the critical foundation for phonics.
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Follow a Systematic Phonics Sequence
Teach letters and sounds in a logical order, starting with the most common and useful (like s, a, t, p, i, n). Build from simple to complex: first single letters, then digraphs (sh, ch), then vowel teams.
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Make Blending a Hands-On Activity
When teaching a word like “cat,” use physical objects, such as letter tiles or flashcards. Push the /c/, /a/, and /t/ cards together slowly, then faster, to visually and physically demonstrate how sounds blend into a word.
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Use Decodable Text for Practice
Have your child read books that only contain letter sounds and words they have already been taught. This eliminates guessing and builds the crucial “I can read this!” confidence that comes from successful decoding.
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Encourage “Echo Reading” for Fluency
To model fluent reading, read a short sentence aloud with expression, then have your child “echo” you, copying your pace and tone. This builds rhythm and comprehension.
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Teach a Mix of Phonics and “Heart Words“
While most words can be sounded out, some high-frequency words (like “the” or “said”) are irregular. Teach these as “heart words”—learn the part you can sound out, and “learn the tricky part by heart.”
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