If you’re wondering where to begin with The Phonics Box, you’re not alone! One of the most common questions we get is, “Which box should I start with?” Whether you have a preschooler just starting to explore sounds or a kindergartener on the cusp of decoding, this guide will walk you through the six currently available boxes and help you choose the right one for your child.

As a reading educator who believes in the Science of Reading, I can confidently say: this step-by-step progression is thoughtfully designed to help your child build strong phonemic awareness and early phonics skills—without the overwhelm.

📦 What Are the Six Boxes?

Here are the six Phonics Boxes currently available, in the order we recommend using them:

Beginning Sounds
This box is the best starting point for most learners. It helps children identify the first sound they hear in a word—an essential phonemic awareness skill. Activities are playful and build the foundation for sound-letter matching.

Ending Sounds
Once your child can confidently hear beginning sounds, it’s time to work on the ending sounds in words. This is often trickier for children, but it’s a vital step before decoding or spelling.

Rhyming & Syllables
This box strengthens phonological awareness, focusing on larger sound chunks like rhymes and syllables. These skills support fluency and spelling down the road.

Letter Learner Box 1
Now that your child can hear sounds clearly, it’s time to connect them to letters. Box 1 introduces a specific, intentional set of letters to build early confidence and mastery.

Letter Learner Box 2
This box adds to your child’s growing knowledge with the next group of letters and sounds. Each activity builds fluency while reviewing what they’ve already learned.

Letter Learner Box 3
The final set of letters completes your child’s letter-sound toolkit. By the end of this box, your child will have a solid foundation in all 26 letters and their sounds.

👩‍🏫 So… Which Box Should I Start With?

Here’s a simple breakdown to help you decide:

If your child…

Is just beginning to hear sounds in words, you need the Beginning Sounds Box.
Can hear beginning sounds but not ending ones, you need the Ending Sounds Box.
Recognizes beginning and ending sounds easily you’re ready for Rhyming & Syllables Box.
Is ready to learn actual letter sounds, start with the Letter Learner Box 1

We also have as assessment checklist that you can grab here. The assessment checklist allows you to see what skills your child knows and what they need to know. You can download it now!

⏱️ How Long Do the Activities Take?

This is a favorite question from busy parents!

Each activity takes around 10–15 minutes.

Each box contains multiple reusable, hands-on games that can be used again and again.

Most families use one box over 3–5 weeks, practicing 2–3 times per week.

These are grab-and-go, screen-free activities that fit into your real life—no laminating or Pinterest-level prep needed.

🎯 Are the Boxes Aligned to the Science of Reading?
Yes! Every Phonics Box is thoughtfully designed with the Science of Reading in mind. That means your child is learning:

Phonemic awareness (hearing and manipulating sounds)

Phonics (matching sounds to letters)

In the right order, with no gaps or guesswork

Each skill builds on the last, so you don’t have to wonder if you’re missing something.

💡 FAQs
Q: My child is going into Kindergarten. What box should I start with?
Start by asking yourself what your child can already do. If they know most of their letter names but not their sounds, start with Letter Learner Box 1. If they don’t yet hear ending sounds or rhymes, begin earlier in the sequence with Ending Sounds or Rhyming & Syllables.

Q: Do I need to buy all the boxes at once?
No! You can purchase them one at a time, based on where your child is. However, bundles are available if you want to save and plan ahead.

Q: What if my child doesn’t like sitting still?
Great! These activities are hands-on, game-based, and movement-friendly. They’re designed for short attention spans and can even be adapted for standing, jumping, or scooting while learning.

Q: What happens if we get stuck on a skill?
That’s totally normal. Stay on that box a little longer, and revisit past activities. Repetition is where the magic happens—and the boxes are designed for exactly that.

❤️ Final Thoughts
The beauty of The Phonics Box is that you don’t have to wonder what to teach or when. Each box walks you through the right skills at the right time—no teaching degree required.

So whether you’re starting with sounds, jumping into rhyming, or finally ready for full letter mastery, there’s a box that meets your child right where they are.

👉 Still unsure where to begin? [Download the free skills checklist here] or message me—I’m always happy to help you choose the perfect box for your learner.

Have you already decided which box you want? You can shop here!