Phase 3 phonics builds on the foundations of Phase 2 by introducing new graphemes, digraphs and trigraphs. During this phase, children expand their knowledge of letter-sound correspondences and begin reading and spelling more complex words. This guide explains what children learn in Phase 3 and provides free resources to support their progress.
What is a digraph?
A digraph is a single sound (phoneme) that is represented by two letters (graphemes). Although children see two letters, they say just one sound.
| Digraph | Example |
|---|---|
| sh | ship |
| ch | chip |
| th | thin |
| ng | ring |
| ai | rain |
| ee | tree |
| oa | boat |
| oo | moon |
Teaching tip: Encourage children to spot the two letters working together before blending the word. Point to both letters at the same time while saying the sound.
What is a trigraph?
A trigraph is a single sound made using three letters. Even though there are three letters, they work together to represent one phoneme.
| Trigraph | Example Word |
|---|---|
| igh | night |
| ear | hear |
| air | chair |
| ure | pure |
Teaching tip: Encourage children to look carefully for all three letters working together before sounding out the word. As children become more confident readers, recognising trigraphs helps them read words more fluently and accurately.
What’s included in this free download?
✓ 26 Printable Phase 3 flashcards
✓ Child-friendly illustrations
✓ Suitable for school and home learning
Click below to download your printable PDF.