Letter names and letter sounds are different songs
An alphabet song teaches letter names (bee, see, dee). A phonics song teaches the sounds letters make (b as in bus). Early reading leans on the sounds, so once your child knows some letters, a phonics song is the next step. Many programs teach sounds in a set order, not A to Z, and introduce a few at a time. Ask your child's teacher which sounds they are on and use that order.
What to type in the form
- The sounds, four to eight per song, in your school's order.
- A key word for each that starts with the sound: sun, apple, tiger, pig.
- How to show the sound in the lyrics: repeated, as in "s, s, sun", or "sun starts with sss".
- An action per sound, if your school uses actions.
- Digraphs such as sh, ch and th in a separate song, once single sounds are known.
Honest note: how the music model sings sounds
The singer sings words well, but isolated sounds less reliably. A written "sss" may come out as a hiss, as "ess", or sometimes blurred. Sounds like m, s and f can be held and tend to sing better than short ones like b, t and p, which can pick up an extra "uh". The fix is to anchor every sound in a key word and listen to each of the up to 3 sung versions. If one sound is wrong in every version, change that line to the key word only.
Accuracy: key words that really start with the sound
Read the lyrics before the song is made. Check that each key word starts with the sound, not just the letter: "knife" does not start with a k sound, "ocean" does not start with the short o in "octopus", and "giraffe" starts with a j sound. Children notice. Keep one sound per letter in a song; letters with several sounds, like c, g and the vowels, can get their own song later.
How to use it
Sing along every day for a week with letter cards. Say the sound, then the word, then ask your child for another word with the same sound. Play "I spy something that starts with sss". Use the song before reading time at home or as a warm-up in class. When a group of sounds is solid, make the next song and keep a few old sounds in it.
If your school uses an action for each sound, describe them in the details and the lyrics will cue them, such as a snake wiggle for s.
Example lyrics
Made with Still Morning for a made-up class, from these details: "A letter sounds song for the first six sounds my son's class is learning: s, a, t, p, i, n. Each sound twice, then a key word: s, s, sun; a, a, apple; t, t, tiger; p, p, pig; i, i, insect; n, n, nest. Slow, with a clap per sound.". Lyrics as the writer drafted them, before any edits.
[Verse 1] Let's make sounds and clap along Six new sounds will make us strong S says sss like a snake can hiss S, s, sun, now clap like this [Chorus] S, s, sun A, a, apple T, t, tiger P, p, pig [Verse 2] A says a like a bite you take A, a, apple, give a shake T says t like a tap, tap, tap T, t, tiger, clap, clap, clap [Chorus] S, s, sun A, a, apple T, t, tiger P, p, pig [Bridge] P says p like a pop, pop, pop I says i like an insect hop N says n like a nest so round Now we know our first six sounds [Chorus] S, s, sun A, a, apple T, t, tiger P, p, pig
What it cannot do
The music model sings isolated sounds less reliably than words, so some sounds may need another version or a key-word-only line. It is not a reading program and cannot tell whether your child has learned a sound. It follows the order you give; it does not know your school's scheme.
Questions parents ask
What is the difference between a phonics song and an ABC song?
An ABC song teaches letter names. A phonics song teaches the sounds, which children use to read words. Many children need both.
Can it follow my child's school phonics order?
Yes. List the sounds in order in the details. The writer keeps that order.
Will the singer say pure sounds without an "uh"?
Not always. Held sounds like m and s sing well; short sounds like b and t may pick up an extra vowel. Anchoring each sound in a key word helps, and you can make up to 3 versions.
Can I make a song for sh, ch and th?
Yes. Give each digraph its own key words, like ship, chips and thumb.
Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. Use it in a classroom or nursery, and see songs for teachers for packs.
How many sounds should one phonics song cover?
Four to eight. Children learn sounds in small groups, and a short list leaves time to repeat each one with its key word.
Can the song use my child's name for their first sound?
Yes, if the name starts with the sound as it is spoken. Add the first name and the sound, for example "m, m, Maya".
Updated 2026-10-17. Made with AI. The words come from an AI writer working from your details, and you approve them. The music and the voice come from an AI music model (not a human singer).