Frequently Asked Questions
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.
- 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 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.
What should I do if my student is struggling with reading?
If your student is having difficulty, it usually means they missed an important step along the way. Start back at the beginning, review each phonics concept carefully, and identify where they need extra support. You can find detailed guidance in our teaching manual and watch our video on how to assess and strengthen reading skills.
How will I know when my student is ready for the next level?
Experience helps build this intuition! As you work with your student, you’ll begin to recognize the signs of readiness. A general rule is that they should be able to do the current level fairly quickly. If they spend much time figuring something out, they need more practice before moving to the next level. For guidance, visit the Videos page or Free Resources tab, or refer to our teaching manual, How to Teach Anyone to Read, for practical tips on when to move forward.
Can my student use these materials independently?
It depends on their reading level and attention span. If your student can read one of our early-reader books, they can likely enjoy it on their own. Workbook directions are written for teachers or parents, but once you’ve explained them, many students can complete the exercises independently.
How should I teach sight words?
Repetition is the key! The more your student sees a word, the quicker they’ll remember it. Flashcards and consistent reminders during reading time are both effective ways to reinforce sight words. We also have free site word flashcards for extra practice.
Materials and videos
Do you offer any free materials?
Yes, we do! We have lots of free read-along videos in our FREE Resources tab as well as teaching tips, free downloadable worksheets, games, and more! Our free newsletter and social media offer even more tips and content.
Are your videos available on YouTube?
They sure are! You can find them on our YouTube channel, or watch on our Videos tab.
Is there a video for every book?
Not yet—but we’re getting there! Right now, we have read-along videos for many of the Level 1 three-letter word stories, and more are on the way. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you’ll get notified as soon as new videos are released.
Do you have any alphabet sing-along videos?
Yes! We already have a fun alphabet sing-along available, and more exciting videos are coming soon—perfect for keeping young learners engaged while mastering their ABCs.
Wholesale & bulk
Do you sell wholesale?
Yes, we do! Please email us at info@FirstStepPhonics.com to place a bulk or wholesale order.
Do I need a resale license to buy wholesale?
Yes. We’ll need a valid, verified resale or wholesale permit before we can remove sales tax from your order.
Can I get a bulk rate if I don’t have a resale license?
Absolutely! You can still enjoy bulk pricing without a resale license—sales tax will simply be added to your order total.
💡 For pricing details or questions about large orders, feel free to reach out anytime—we’re happy to help!
Other
Do you offer discounts for military, law enforcement, senior citizens, or AAA members?
At this time, we don’t offer special discounts beyond free shipping on orders over $50, plus bundle, bulk, or wholesale discounts
Do you offer discounts for schools or daycares?
Yes! Discounts vary depending on the quantity ordered. Please email or call us at (888) 992-7323 to learn more about school and classroom pricing.
Where are you located?
Crush Publishing, Inc. and First Step Phonics are proudly based in Arizona, U.S.A.
How soon will “out of stock” items be available?
Some of our later-level products are still being created. If you sign up for our newsletter, you’ll be the first to know when they become available!
📬 Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media for updates on new products, videos, teaching tips, and more!