Primary teacher & phonics specialist

Your child knows their sounds.
So why can't they read words yet?

I help parents teach their child to blend sounds into words, using the same oral-first approach I've used in the classroom for years.

Download the free guide and find out exactly how to get blending to click in a few minutes a day.

Free blending guide cover
Free guide - PDF

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Parent and child doing a phonics activity together at a table
QTS Qualified Teacher
Reception & KS1 Specialist
Oral-First Phonics Method
Designed for Home

Skills to Success

Child identifying initial sounds in a phonics activity

Initial Sounds

Lots of games and activities which practise hearing the first sound in words. Children begin to understand that words are made up from sounds.

Girl practising oral blending with wooden letters

Oral Blending

This is the part which is often missed and absolutely crucial. Children need to learn the skill of blending sounds together to make words.

Child blending sounds to read words

Blending to Reading

Once a child can orally blend confidently they can move on to reading simple words. Now their reading skills will really take off.

Sound familiar?

These are the things parents tell me most

If any of this resonates - you're in the right place.

"

My child knows the letter sounds individually, but as soon as they try to blend them into a word, they just get stuck or start guessing.

"

How can I get my child ready for phonics in Reception?

"

We try and read together every night but it's a constant struggle. I'm worried this is putting them off reading altogether.

"

I hate comparing my child to other kids, but it's hard not to when they seem so far behind their peers.

"

Why is my child getting wordless books instead of the regular phonics books? Is this normal?

"

I feel like I'm not doing enough, or doing it wrong. I just don't know how to help.

These are not unusual worries - I hear them all the time. The good news is that blending is a teachable skill, and with the right approach, children make rapid progress.

Get the free guide and find out how →
Child listening for sounds
Free blending check

Not sure where your child is with blending?

Take the free 3-minute Blending Check to find out whether blending is the skill that's holding them back - and where the gap might be. You'll get an instant score and a personalised comment - no sign-up needed to see your result.

Take the free Blending Check →
Blending Breakthrough Course — structured phonics course for parents
The Blending Breakthrough Course

A structured 3-week course - launching June 2026

Everything you need to help your child go from knowing sounds to reading words. Short video lessons, playful activities modelled clearly, and a complete day-by-day plan so you always know what to do next.

Oral-first method - practise blending before letters appear
Complete 3-week daily plan - no prep, no guessing
Games modelled so you can start tonight
Know what progress looks like - and what comes next
Find out more →
Joanna, qualified Reception teacher and phonics specialist
QTS Qualified Reception teacher & phonics specialist
About Joanna

Teacher expertise, designed for home

I'm Joanna - a qualified Reception teacher and phonics specialist. I've spent years in the classroom watching children reach exactly the same sticking point: they know their sounds, but they can't seem to pull them together into words.

Through my teaching I discovered that the missing piece is almost always the same - children need to practise blending out loud, without letters, before they can do it on the page. That's the oral-first approach at the heart of everything I do at My Phonics Coach.

This is why I share that knowledge with parents - so you can give your child the same support at home that works in the classroom.

QTS qualified Reception teacher and phonics specialist
Oral-first method: blending practice without letters comes first
Short, playful activities that fit into busy family life
Work with Joanna

Want help with your child's reading?

Send me a message and tell me what's going on. I'll take a look and point you in the right direction.

Tell me where your child isShare what they can do and what's feeling tricky
Get clarity on what's blocking themI'll help identify the specific gap — not a generic answer
Leave with a clear next stepOne or two simple things to try straight away