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BRITISH ENGLISH · DISCOVER TOGETHER

British English phonics games: hear, match and blend

The English phonics path has its own sounds, words and activities. Children hear a sound, match a letter, build a short word and try blending. It is written for British English rather than translated from the French syllable path.

Try it together
INSIDE THE ENGLISH GAMEThe first English listening game, with two letter choices and a spoken sound
The first English listening game, with two letter choices and a spoken sound

Hear the sound, then find its spelling

The first listening activities start with s, a, t and p, followed by i and n. Later sounds include spellings with two letters, such as ch and sh, and long vowel spellings such as ee and oa. English ch and French ch represent different sounds in the examples used by the two paths.

Build words and explore how they sound

Mr Gobble’s early words include cat, dog, pig, sun and map. Other games offer oral blending, word and two-word dictation with tiles, rhymes, first sounds and close-sounding words. Use the sequence and pronunciation your child’s school teaches when choosing home practice.

SIDE BY SIDE

Try the opening listening game

  1. Listen to the spoken sound.
  2. Look at the letter choices.
  3. Touch a letter and listen again if your child wants another try.

These games are not a validated phonics programme or a replacement for school instruction.

Try English phonics

The discovery games are free to try without a card or account. Full family access is paid. Check Prices for the current plans in pounds; changing between French and British English does not require another purchase.

PUT THE SCREEN DOWN

A listening hunt

You will need: Your voices and two familiar objects.

  1. Name both objects clearly.
  2. Choose a sound your child already knows.
  3. Listen together for it in one of the names, without requiring the written word.

Keep this activity using your browser’s Print menu, or share it by email. No sign-up needed.

Girafoufou · https://www.girafoufou.com/en/learning-games/phonics

Questions
from parents.

Is there a single phonics order used by all UK schools?

No. Schools follow different programmes, and education systems differ across the UK. Follow your child’s teacher’s advice; our path is one set of practice activities.

Carry the idea a little further.

TRY IT TOGETHER

Short A sound: listen for /æ/ in ant

Listen to the short A sound in British English, hear how it differs from the letter name and explore a first sound game with your child.

Explore TRY IT TOGETHER

CH sound: two letters, one sound in chip

Hear the English CH sound in chip and notice how two letters work together. Try the game’s recording and a gentle listening activity off screen.

Explore FOR GROWN-UPS

Learning games for 4 year olds: sounds, numbers and puzzles

Explore letter sounds, compare groups and try a picture puzzle at four. British English voice guidance and a grown-up’s guide to choosing the next step.

Explore FOR GROWN-UPS

Learning games for 5 year olds: first words and number bonds

Try blending short words, number bonds and early addition at five. See what Girafoufou offers, how to help and when to choose an easier activity.

Explore FOR GROWN-UPS

Help your child start reading with sounds and shared stories

Explore sounds, blending and short stories in British English. Practical ways to help at home while following the phonics approach your child uses at school.

Explore FOR GROWN-UPS

French for preschoolers: listen, look and find

Discover first French words with pictures and a gentle voice: animals, food and more. No microphone or speaking test, just a first taste of another language.

Explore TRY IT TOGETHER

Letter sound M: hear /m/ in map and moon

Hear the sound /m/, distinguish it from the letter name and find it in map and moon. A British English phonics activity to try together.

Explore TRY IT TOGETHER

Blending sounds games: from c–a–t to cat

Listen to the sounds in a short word and blend them together. Explore a first British English blending game, plus a playful spoken activity off screen.

Explore TRY IT TOGETHER

Rhyming games for preschoolers: cat, bat… can you hear it?

Listen for words with the same ending and choose a matching picture. Explore English rhymes together, then try a simple rhyming game without a screen.

Explore TRY IT TOGETHER

Lowercase letter tracing: follow a path with your finger

Explore simple movements and lower-case letters, following the dots with a finger. Discover Girafoufou’s English writing path and a paper activity to try.

Explore

About this guide

Product guide by the Girafoufou team. Updated . The activities described here are checked against the English game.

Educational context, not an endorsement of Girafoufou:

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A small discovery.
Then time to play.

The discovery games are free to try without a card or account. Full family access is paid. Check Prices for the current plans in pounds; changing between French and British English does not require another purchase.

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