S4, Ep22: The Homeschool Parent's Guide to Phonics and Teaching ReadingThe Homeschool Parent's Guide to Phonics and Teaching Reading
S4, Ep22: The Homeschool Parent's Guide to Phonics and Teaching ReadingThe Homeschool Parent's Guide to Phonics and Teaching Reading  
Podcast: Homeschool Moms Unfiltered
Published On: Tue Aug 04 2026
Description: Reading instruction has become one of the biggest conversations in education, but what does the research actually say? In this episode, we explore the science behind phonics, how reading instruction shifted away from explicit phonics, and why so many schools are returning to evidence-based practices. We also share practical, play-based ways to introduce phonics at home, favorite resources for different ages, and why teaching children to decode words doesn't have to come at the expense of a love of books. Whether you're homeschooling a preschooler, supporting a struggling reader, or trying to make sense of the reading wars, you'll leave feeling informed, confident, and ready to help your child build a strong reading foundation.For a list of studies and resources mentioned in this episode, scroll to the bottom of the show notes.Homeschool Moms Unfiltered is more than a podcast! Visit https://homeschoolmomsunfiltered.com/ for personalized homeschool coaching, self-paced courses, books, secular unit studies, our Patreon community, and more.Follow us for updates and giveaways!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homeschoolmomsunfiltered/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/homeschoolmomsunfilteredSupport the show:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/homeschoolmomsunfilteredResources from this episode:Bruce McCandliss, Yuliya Yoncheva, and Jessica Wise, “Hemifield Differences in Word Learning Reveal Incomplete Mapping of Visual Words to Left Hemisphere Language Areas” (2015):https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bandl.2015.03.009Henry May et al., “Long-Term Impacts of Reading Recovery Through Third and Fourth Grade: A Regression Discontinuity Study” (2023):https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED628331Full-text PDF:https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED628331.pdfPhilip Sirinides, Abigail Gray, and Henry May, “The Impacts of Reading Recovery at Scale: Results From the 4-Year i3 External Evaluation” (2018):https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1186803Sandra Iversen and William Tunmer, “Phonological Processing Skills and the Reading Recovery Program” (1993):https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0663.85.1.112University of Memphis evaluation of Fountas & Pinnell’s Leveled Literacy Intervention:https://www.memphis.edu/crep/pdfs/publications/lli_efficacy_wo_appendices_accessible_10_29_18.pdfSold a Story:https://features.apmreports.org/sold-a-story/Reading Eggs:https://readingeggs.comPreschool Prep Company (Meet the Phonics):https://www.preschoolprepco.comHooked on Phonics:https://www.hookedonphonics.comAll About Reading:https://www.allaboutlearningpress.com/all-about-reading/Meadowlark Preschool:https://meadowlarkpreschool.comPlaying Preschool (Busy Toddler):https://busytoddler.com/playing-preschool/Explode the Code:https://epslearning.comCarson Dellosa Gold Stars Phonics:https://www.carsondellosa.comLogic of English:https://www.logicofenglish.comStudies & Resources