How Singing, Music, and Movement Supercharge Your Child’s Phonics Learning

Have you ever noticed how your child can sing their favourite song word-for-word but struggles to remember a simple letter sound? That’s the magic of music and movement at work! When it comes to early literacy, phonics is the foundation that helps children connect sounds to letters, building the essential skills for reading and writing. But what if you could make phonics learning not just effective but fun and memorable?

Combining singing, music, and movement can boost your child’s phonics learning, helping them build confidence, independence, and a genuine love for reading. Whether you’re a busy parent or looking for creative ways to support your child’s learning at home, these science-backed strategies will help phonics click in a way that feels like play.

The Science Behind Music, Movement, and Learning

Research shows that when children engage with music and movement, multiple areas of their brain light up, strengthening memory, attention, and language skills. This multi-sensory approach connects auditory, visual, and kinaesthetic learning pathways, making information easier to understand and recall.

According to educational consultant Dr. Jean Blaydes, "When the body moves, the brain remembers." This is why combining sound, sight, and movement creates stronger neural connections, especially for young learners mastering phonics.

When children sing songs, dance, or use actions tied to letter sounds, they’re not just having fun—they’re laying the groundwork for future reading and writing success.

Why Singing Supports Phonics Learning

Music is a powerful memory tool because it naturally involves rhythm, rhyme, and repetition—all essential elements for teaching phonics. When children sing songs that highlight specific sounds, they are repeatedly exposed to those phonemes, which helps with recognition and recall.

Here’s how singing helps with phonics:

• Repetition: Songs naturally repeat sounds and words, reinforcing letter-sound connections.

• Rhythm and Rhyme: These elements help children anticipate and remember sounds more easily.

• Engagement: Music makes learning enjoyable, keeping children motivated to practice their phonics skills.

Simple songs like the alphabet tune or phonics-specific jingles can help children internalise sounds and letter patterns in a fun, stress-free way.

Movement and Actions for Memory Retention

Young children learn best through play and physical activity. When movement is paired with phonics sounds, children engage their whole body in the learning process, helping them form stronger memory links.

Here are some movement-based phonics strategies:

• Sound Actions: Programs like my Phonics at Home curriculum assign specific actions to sounds (e.g., pretending to slither like a snake for the /s/ sound). These movements help children remember the sound through muscle memory.

• Tracing Letters: Using big arm movements to trace letters in the air reinforces both the shape of the letter and its associated sound.

• Interactive Games: Activities like hopscotch with letter sounds or jumping to the correct flashcard help children actively engage with phonics.

Movement builds physical connections to abstract concepts, making phonics learning more meaningful and memorable.

The Power of Combining Music, Singing, and Movement

Imagine your child singing a catchy tune, acting out letter sounds, and confidently recognising those sounds in books—that’s the magic of combining music, singing, and movement.

This multi-sensory approach helps children:

• Retain Information: Engaging multiple senses strengthens memory pathways.

• Boost Confidence: When learning feels like play, children are more likely to participate and take risks.

• Promote Independence: Fun, engaging lessons encourage children to apply their phonics knowledge on their own.

Quick and Fun Ways to Use Music and Movement at Home

Supporting your child’s phonics journey doesn’t have to be time-consuming. Here are some simple activities you can do at home:

1. Sound-Action Songs: Make up short songs for each phonics sound and add a fun action (e.g., jump for /j/ or wiggle for /w/). Just FYI the Phonics at Home curriculum has done this for you 😉

2. Clap the Sounds: Clap out the phonemes in simple words (e.g., /c/ - /a/ - /t/ for "cat").

3. Letter Formation Games: Use shaving cream, sand, or finger painting to practice letter shapes while saying the sound aloud.

Singing, music, and movement are more than just fun activities—they are powerful tools that can supercharge your child’s phonics learning journey. By engaging multiple senses, these activities help children develop confidence, independence, and a love for reading and writing.

Ready to make phonics learning simple, effective, and enjoyable? Click here to check out my Phonics at Home curriculum for interactive lessons designed to help your child apply their phonics knowledge independently and confidently.

Let’s make learning feel like play—and watch your child’s reading journey soar!