Top 6 Phonics Mistakes and How to Fix Them with Multisensory Learning

GROW ED Publishing
Apr 18
2 min read

Updated: Apr 21

Teaching phonics is essential, but even the most passionate educators and parents can unknowingly fall into common traps. The good news? A multisensory, game-based approach makes phonics more effective and fun while helping you avoid these teaching pitfalls. Here are six of the most common phonics mistakes: and what to do instead.

*A classroom of children learning phonics the multisensory way—through play, touch, sound, and movement!*

⚠️ Mistake #1: Focusing Only on Visual or Auditory Cues

✅ Fix: Add movement and tactile exploration 💡 Let kids trace letters in sand, act out sounds, or jump to sound mats.

⚠️ Mistake #2: Teaching Letter Names Before Letter Sounds

✅ Fix: Start with sounds! 💡 Focus on phonemes (like /b/ and /s/) before letter names to build sound-symbol association.

⚠️ Mistake #3: Rushing Through the Basics

✅ Fix: Slow down and build mastery 💡 Use repetition through games like phonics bingo, sound hunts, or memory matching.

⚠️ Mistake #4: Ignoring the Role of Touch, Smell, and Taste

✅ Fix: Engage all five senses 💡 Scented markers, snack spelling, playdough letters—they all count!

⚠️ Mistake #5: Using One-Size-Fits-All Lessons

✅ Fix: Differentiate with multisensory stations 💡 Rotate students through activities that involve music, movement, storytelling, and hands-on fun.

⚠️ Mistake #6: Relying Too Heavily on Worksheets

✅ Fix: Make learning active and playful 💡 Try phonics hopscotch, puppet shows, or sensory bins instead!

Quick overview of the 6 most common phonics mistakes and how to fix them using multisensory strategies

🎲 Why a Game-Based, Multisensory Approach Fixes Phonics Mistakes

When children play, they learn. Games naturally incorporate repetition, creativity, and joy. Combine that with sensory learning, and you’ve got a reading strategy that sticks.