Phonics is a method of teaching reading and writing that focuses on the sounds (phonemes) that make up words. The aim of phonics instruction is to help children learn how to read and write by associating specific sounds with specific letters or groups of letters, known as graphemes.

Phonics instruction typically begins with the teaching of the most common sounds associated with the letters of the alphabet, and then progresses to more complex phonemes and graphemes. Students are taught how to blend sounds together to form words, and how to segment words into their component sounds.

Research has shown that phonics instruction is an effective way to teach reading and writing, particularly for young children who are learning to read for the first time. Studies have also shown that phonics instruction can help improve reading comprehension and spelling skills.

There are different approaches to phonics instruction, including synthetic phonics, analytic phonics, and embedded phonics. Synthetic phonics involves teaching students to decode words by sounding out each individual letter sound and blending them together. Analytic phonics involves teaching students to recognize whole words or syllables and to identify the sounds within them. Embedded phonics involves teaching phonics skills within the context of reading and writing.

Phonics instruction is often used in combination with other reading and writing strategies, such as sight-word recognition and reading comprehension strategies. It is an important part of early literacy instruction and is widely used in elementary schools around the world.