Why can my child sing the alphabet but not read words?
Another way to ask：My child knows ABC but cannot read cat. What is missing?
The direct answer
Singing the alphabet sequence, naming letters, recognising letter sounds and blending sounds are different tasks. Singing ABC alone does not show that a child has experience with all of them.
How to think about it
Check whether your child knows a letter’s name or its sound in a particular word. Reading also involves word meaning and connected text. The IES reading guide treats sound awareness, decoding and vocabulary as distinct teaching areas; it does not evaluate these apps.
Something to try
- Try a few familiar letters in a different order.
- Use a reliable recording to model a familiar word’s sounds.
- Model blending only sounds already introduced, then connect the word with its meaning.
Scope and limits
One unsuccessful attempt is not a diagnosis. Completing a course is not a guarantee of independent reading.
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Related products and verification links
Little English Phonics
Four levels with separate apps: letters and sounds; vowels; consonants; long vowels and other common sounds. Independent reading is a goal. Check each listing for purchases and content.
Related products and verification links
LP1 Phonics: the alphabet and letter sounds for beginnersLP2 Phonics: vowel sounds and word blendingSources
Product sources document features; education sources do not evaluate or endorse these apps.