Synthetic Phonics

A method of teaching reading that emphasises learning the sounds (phonemes) associated with letters and letter combinations, then blending those sounds together to form words. Unlike analytic phonics, which starts with whole words and breaks them down, synthetic phonics builds words up from individual sounds. Programmes like Jolly Phonics introduce 42 letter sounds in a structured sequence. Synthetic phonics is endorsed by the UK government for early reading instruction and is relevant to accessibility because non-speaking individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices often miss out on the sound-based play activities that underpin this approach to literacy.