Phonics Fun: Decoding and Encoding Worksheet

How to use this worksheet

Review the ideas of decoding and encoding together first, explaining simply that decoding means sounding out letters to read a word, while encoding means listening to a word and writing the letters that spell it. Work through the decoding examples together, having your child sound out each letter and blend them into a word. Then move to the encoding examples, where you say a simple word aloud and your child identifies and writes the letters needed to spell it. Take your time on each example, praising the sounding-out process along the way.

Materials needed

• Pencil
• Paper

Extension activities

• •Make flashcards with letters and simple words to practice both decoding and encoding.
• •Practice writing letters and words in sand or with playdough for a sensory approach to encoding.
• •Go on a scavenger hunt for objects around the house that start with specific letters you're practicing.
• •Play a decoding game, writing a simple word and having your child sound it out and read it aloud.
• •Play an encoding game, saying a word aloud and having your child write the letters they hear.

Tips for parents and teachers

Encourage your child to sound out letters slowly and blend them together, rather than rushing to guess a whole word or sentence. Make the activity fun and engaging by using different voices for different sounds and incorporating movement wherever possible. Understand that encoding is typically harder than decoding at this age, since producing sounds from memory is more demanding than recognizing them on a page.