Parent Resources

Not sure what product you need?

See our guide on How to Assess Your Student’s Reading Level and Correct Problem Areas.

 

Free Worksheets

If you need extra practice for your student, click the images below to download. Tell your friends!

 

Lesson Plans

Download the lesson plans from How to Teach Anyone to Read.

 

Why H is Not a Vowel

As an extra to the teaching manual, here is a more thorough explanation of H and why it is not a vowel.

 

 

Tips for Teaching Phonics

As a phonics tutor since 1983, I have found success teaching phonics in this sequence:

  • NAMES of the letters in the entire alphabet, both uppercase and lowercase, and the alphabet sequence. For uppercase, lowercase and sequence, try First Step Phonics Level 0, workbooks 1, 2 and 3.
  • SOUNDS of the consonants. For C and G, start with the hard sounds as in CAT and GOT. For alphabet sounds, try First Step Phonics Level 0, workbooks 4, 5 and 6.
  • Start with only ONE vowel sound. I always begin with A.
  • Blend two sounds. Vowel first, such as AM, AT, AN, AD is usually easier. Then move to consonant first — BA, FA, HA, etc. For the sound to short A and blending letters, try First Step Phonics Level 1, workbook A.
  • Read books with your child that contain only three-letter words that stick to the short A sound. For this stage, try First Step Phonics Level 1, Set A books.
  • Wait until your child has a solid grasp of the one vowel sound before introducing any others. Otherwise, your child may get confused since the five short vowels may sound similar to him or her. As you get to each vowel, try the other coordinating books and workbooks for Level 1.


ADDITIONAL TIPS:
I found that the vowel sounds for I and E are very similar and the child can become quite confused when both sounds are taught at the same time. After short A, you can teach short E, then do the short sounds for O and U, and leave I for last.

Creating an entire story with only three-letter, short-vowel words may be impossible. At times, words such as “a,” ”and,”  “to,” and “the” are necessary to create correct sentences. Since these words do not follow the rules for Level 1, they will have to be memorized.

For a beginner, each step can feel overwhelming. Help them when needed, but don’t be afraid to let them work it out.

VERY IMPORTANT: To ensure progress, make sure each step is mastered before going to the next step.

For details on the above steps, explanations and more teaching tips, check out my bestselling book, How to Teach Anyone to Read.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

Veronica Blade

Shipping & Delivery

When will my product ship out?

All retail orders are shipped from our warehouse within 1–2 business days. If you’re in the U.S., you can expect your order to arrive within 5–8 business days after it ships.

My order hasn’t arrived yet—it’s been over a week. What should I do?

First, please check your tracking number included in your email receipt for the latest delivery updates. If it’s been more than 24 hours past the expected delivery date, please contact us at info@FirstStepPhonics.com

Do you ship outside of the U.S.?

Yes, we do! Please note that international shipping costs extra and delivery times will vary. At this time, international orders can’t be placed directly through our website. To order, please call us at 888-992-7323 or email info@FirstStepPhonics.com.

How to order products

Where can I buy First Step Phonics products?

Our products are currently available on Amazon, Walmart and of course, FirstStepPhonics.com. We’re working hard to bring them to even more marketplaces—stay tuned!

In the meantime, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media to stay up to date on new products, announcements, and more fun learning resources!

Can I place an order by phone?

Of course! Give us a call at 888-992-7323. Our office hours are Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (PST), excluding holidays.

If we miss your call, we’re likely helping other customers—please leave a message or send us an email, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

Do you have a retail store where I can buy your products in person?

Not just yet—but we’re working on it! We’ll share updates as soon as in-store options become available.

What’s the easiest way to order?

Simply visit FirstStepPhonics.com or call 888-992-7323 to place your order.

Product purpose & info

Why should I choose First Step Phonics products?

Because learning to read should be simple and fun! Check out this video to see why First Step Phonics is the most straightforward phonics program out there—and how it helps kids (and beginners of any age) build strong reading skills with confidence.

Does Level 1 really stick to three-letter words?

It sure does! All 30 stories in our Level 1 early-reader books focus on short vowels and contain only simple three-letter words. A few common sight words like the, of, and to are included to make sentences flow naturally.

Level One has ALL of the following qualities:

  • Three-letter words only
  • No extra symbols
  • Very few words per page
  • Minimum use of words that don't follow the rules for this level
  • Grammatically correct sentences
  • Full-color, engaging illustrations
  • Simple stories with a plot and resolution

What makes First Step Phonics different from Bob Books and other popular reading programs?

Our program is designed to make phonics truly simple. Watch our short video comparing our program to Bob Books.

The First Step Phonics program teaches reading one simple step at a time. Each full-color book features real stories, easy-to-follow sentences, and only the sounds your student has already learned—plus one new skill. Our matching workbooks reinforce each lesson with fun, hands-on practice to help build confidence and lasting reading success.

Are the early-reader books illustrated in full color?

Yes! Every story features bright, full-color illustrations and engaging plots designed to keep kids excited about reading from cover to cover.

If I buy all your products, what will it cost?

The more you bundle, the more you save! Check out our bundle options [here] (add link) to find the best value for your learner.

Is there a level for kids who don’t read at all?

Yes! Our Transitional Kindergarten workbooks are the perfect place to start: Worksheets that prepare children for kindergarten, focusing on hand-eye coordination, critical thinking, phonemic awareness, and more.

Level 0 Workbooks:

  • Books 1–3 cover uppercase and lowercase letters, matching them, and alphabet order.
  • Books 4–6 introduce the sounds each letter makes—the foundation for reading success.

First Books (13 books + 2 workbooks): Short early readers that gradually introduce each new sound and provide practice for every letter in the alphabet—except Q!

What reading levels do your products cover?

Our program takes readers all the way from Pre-K through Grade 2, building strong phonics and decoding skills step by step.

Are these materials only for children?

Not at all! First Step Phonics is designed for anyone learning to read English—from young children to adults and ESL learners.

What reading levels do your products cover?

Our program takes readers all the way from Pre-K through Grade 2, building strong phonics and decoding skills step by step.

What does each level focus on?

Transitional Kindergarten: Hand-eye coordination, critical thinking, and early phonemic awareness.

First Books: Short early readers introducing each new sound and every letter (except Q).

Level 0: Alphabet recognition and sequence, as well as letter sounds.

Level 1: Blending short-vowel three-letter words.

Level 2: Consonant blends (4–7 letter words).

Level 3: Long vowels (silent “E” words).

Level 4: Vowel blends (AI, EE, OE, and more).

Why is phonics so important when learning to read?

Phonics is the foundation of reading. It teaches learners to understand the sounds that letters and letter combinations make—so they can decode new words instead of memorizing them. Once your student understands phonics, they have the tools to sound out new, unfamiliar words and the ability to read confidently for life.

Teaching phonics

How do I explain to my student that H is a consonant and not a vowel?

Great question! We have a full page dedicated to this topic. You can also watch this video for the explanation of why “H” is a consonant.

How young can my child start learning phonics?

Every child is different! Some are ready to begin as early as age three, while others may not be ready until six or later. It all depends on your child’s attention span, motivation, and interest in learning.

Can I teach my child myself?

Absolutely! If you have the time and patience, you can successfully teach your child using our Teaching Manual: How to Teach Anyone to Read. You’ll also find helpful tips and free resources on our FREE Resources tab at the top of this page.

What should my student do after finishing all 5 First Step Phonics levels?

Once your student completes Level 4, they’ll be ready for more advanced reading skills—like silent letters, multi-syllable words, and complex patterns. You’ll find guidance for these next steps in our teaching manual, How to Teach Anyone to Read.

 Do you have any tips for new teachers?

Patience is key! Many new readers spend months—or even years—just learning to read simple three-letter words. Encouragement and consistency go a long way. You can also explore our teaching videos, FREE Resources, and the How to Teach Anyone to Read manual for more tips and best practices.

Are First Step Phonics materials suitable for non-English speakers?

Yes! Our program works wonderfully for both children and adults who are learning English. Because our system teaches reading through phonics, it also helps learners pronounce words correctly and improve comprehension.

Can the workbook pages be torn out?

The pages aren’t perforated, but they can be removed with scissors or carefully torn along the binding if you prefer to use them individually.

How can I determine my student’s current reading level?

Watch our video on assessing reading levels and remedying reading difficulties, or check out this page for a step-by-step overview.