Making Phonics & Numeracy Fun at Home: Why Early Skills Matter

When children are just starting school, two areas often stand out as the building blocks of learning: phonics (the link between letters and sounds) and early numeracy (basic number skills). These early foundations are not just about ticking boxes in Reception or Year 1 – they set the stage for confident reading, problem-solving, and lifelong learning.

The good news? With a few simple ideas, parents/carers can make phonics and numeracy practice fun and stress-free at home.

Lets break it down: Early phonics and numeracy at home

Why Early Phonics Matters

Phonics is the stepping stone to reading fluently. Once children can blend sounds together to form words, whole new worlds of stories, information, and independence open up. Without strong phonics, reading can feel like a constant uphill battle.

Tips for home

Turn everyday moments into phonics practice. For example:

• Play “I Spy” using sounds rather than letters (“I spy with my little eye something beginning with sh”).

• Use magnetic letters on the fridge and ask your child to make a silly word – then read it together.

Why Early Numeracy Matters

Number skills go far beyond counting. Recognising patterns, spotting shapes, and making simple connections lay the groundwork for understanding maths later on. Children who feel comfortable with numbers from an early age often grow into confident problem-solvers.

Tips for home

Keep maths practical and playful:

• Count steps as you walk upstairs.

• Share out snacks and ask questions like “If we have 10 grapes and you eat 3, how many are left?”

• Play board games with dice – they’re brilliant for number recognition and adding small numbers quickly.

Keeping It Fun (and Avoiding Battles!)

The best early phonics and numeracy at home learning happens when children are relaxed and engaged. Short bursts of playful practice are far more effective than long, pressured sessions. Praise effort, not just right answers – confidence grows when children feel safe to have a go.

How I Can Help

At Angela’s Tuition, I support children aged 5–11 with confidence-building sessions in English and maths. Whether your child is in Reception and just beginning their phonics journey, or in Year 6 preparing for SATs or the 11+, my lessons are interactive, encouraging, and carefully tailored to each child’s needs.

👉 If you’d like support to give your child a strong start, get in touch with me today to find out more about my face-to-face sessions in Balsham, Cambridgeshire, or my online lessons for families in the UK and abroad.