Happy Phonics

Happy Phonics

I repeatedly say that you don’t have to buy an expensive program to teach reading. But most parents want more direction and more activity than they get with a minimalist approach like Alpha Phonics or Noah Webster’s Reading Handbook. Diane Hopkins has solved the problem by creating Happy Phonics.

The teacher’s guide directs you through a step-by-step process from learning letters and sounds into reading real books. The rest of Happy Phonics is heavy-duty, brightly colored paper stock printed with an alphabet desk strip, flash cards, words, letters, game pieces, and stories. These are cut apart and used for their various duties as explained in the instructions.

The games are manipulative learning materials rather than competitive devices, but young children love the matching, flipping cards, and moving things around. They contain some of the same elements you find in reading workbooks or texts, but the format is more appealing, and the games are definitely more fun. You might even use these as a supplement to a phonics program like Alpha Phonics or Noah Webster’s Reading Handbook.

While it does take some time to put this together, it’s not overwhelming. A simple chart in the instructions shows which parts of Happy Phonics are used at which stages of learning. Diane also recommends using Explode the Code workbooks as part of your reading program and mentions other reading tools such as the Bob Books that you might wish to use. She also encourages you to make your own beginning readers.

Spelling lists are included so children can learn to spell phonetically. Happy Phonics will suffice as a beginning spelling program.

The program includes the instructions, games, little reading books, flashcards, and My First Big Book, which has an easy-to-read story for each phonic sound learned. If you prefer a clearly and thoroughly structured program or if you dislike cutting things out and organizing, this might not be the program for you. But if you are looking for a low cost, fun phonics program with games, this is it.

Pricing Information

When prices appear, please keep in mind that they are subject to change. Click on links where available to verify price accuracy.

printed book - $70, ebook - $45
set that includes Happy Phonics plus Explode the Code books - $110

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Instant Key

  • Need For Parent or Teacher Instruction: high
  • Learning Environment: one-on-one
  • Grade Level: grades PreK-1
  • Educational Methods: game, hands-on
  • Religious Perspective: secular but Christian friendly

Publisher's Info

Note: Publishers, authors, and service providers never pay to be reviewed. They do provide free review copies or online access to programs for review purposes.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guidelines Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."