Phase 3 phonics builds on the foundations children developed during Phase 2. At this stage, children learn new phonemes and the graphemes used to represent them, including digraphs and trigraphs.
Children continue developing their blending and segmenting skills while learning to read and spell a wider range of words.
In Phase 3, children begin to understand that a single phoneme can sometimes be represented by two or three letters. For example, the phoneme /sh/ is represented by the digraph sh, while the phoneme /igh/ is represented by the trigraph igh.
On this page, you’ll find everything you need to know about Phase 3 phonics, including the sounds children learn, digraphs, trigraphs, tricky words, blending, segmenting and ways to practise phonics at home.
What Is Phase 3 Phonics?
Phase 3 is the next stage of systematic phonics teaching after Phase 2.
Children continue learning new grapheme-phoneme correspondences and begin learning that some sounds are represented by more than one letter.
For example:
sh represents the phoneme /sh/
ch represents the phoneme /ch/
ee represents the phoneme /ee/
igh represents the phoneme /igh/
Children also continue practising the skills they developed during Phase 2, including:
- recognising phonemes
- recognising graphemes
- blending sounds to read words
- segmenting words for spelling
- reading decodable words
- spelling simple words
As children learn more graphemes, they can read and spell an increasingly wide range of words.
Phase 3 Sounds and Graphemes
During Phase 3, children learn a range of new phonemes and the graphemes used to represent them.
The exact order can vary between schools and phonics programmes, but commonly taught Phase 3 graphemes include:
| Grapheme | Phoneme | Example |
|---|---|---|
| j | /j/ | jam |
| v | /v/ | van |
| w | /w/ | web |
| x | /x/ | fox |
| y | /y/ | yes |
| z | /z/ | zip |
| zz | /z/ | buzz |
| qu | /qu/ | queen |
| ch | /ch/ | chip |
| sh | /sh/ | ship |
| th | /th/ | thin |
| th | /th/ | this |
| ng | /ng/ | ring |
| ai | /ai/ | rain |
| ee | /ee/ | sheep |
| igh | /igh/ | night |
| oa | /oa/ | boat |
| oo | /oo/ | moon |
| oo | /oo/ | book |
| ar | /ar/ | farm |
| or | /or/ | fork |
| ur | /ur/ | turn |
| ow | /ow/ | cow |
| oi | /oi/ | coin |
| ear | /ear/ | hear |
| air | /air/ | chair |
| ure | /ure/ | pure |
| er | /er/ | her |
Some phonics programmes may introduce these sounds in a different order or use slightly different terminology.
What Are Digraphs?
A digraph is a grapheme made up of two letters that represent one phoneme.
For example:
sh
The two letters s and h work together to represent the single phoneme /sh/.
Other Phase 3 digraphs include:
- ch
- sh
- th
- ng
- ai
- ee
- oa
- oo
- ar
- or
- ur
- ow
- oi
Children need to learn to recognise the two letters as one sound when reading words.
For example:
ship
contains the phonemes:
/sh/ /i/ /p/
The sh represents one phoneme, even though it contains two letters.
[Explore our free digraph resources →]
What Are Trigraphs?
A trigraph is a grapheme made up of three letters that represent one phoneme.
Examples commonly taught during Phase 3 include:
igh – night
ear – hear
air – chair
ure – pure
Children need to learn that three letters can work together to represent one sound.
For example:
night
can be segmented into:
/n/ /igh/ /t/
Although igh contains three letters, it represents one phoneme.
[Explore our Phase 3 trigraph resources →]
Blending in Phase 3
Children continue developing their blending skills as they learn new graphemes.
For example:
sh-ee-p
can be blended to read:
sheep
Children should be encouraged to recognise digraphs and trigraphs as single phonemes when blending.
Other examples include:
ch-i-p → chip
r-ai-n → rain
b-oa-t → boat
f-ar-m → farm
n-igh-t → night
As children become more confident, they should gradually blend words more fluently.
Segmenting in Phase 3
Segmenting continues to support spelling.
Children learn to listen carefully to a word, identify each phoneme and choose the appropriate grapheme to represent each sound.
For example:
ship
can be segmented into:
/sh/ /i/ /p/
The child then chooses:
sh-i-p
Another example is:
rain
/r/ /ai/ /n/
r-ai-n
Children should be encouraged to hear the sounds in words before choosing the letters they need to write them.
Phase 3 Words
As children learn more graphemes, they can read a wider range of words.
Examples of Phase 3 words include:
- ship
- shop
- chat
- chin
- thin
- ring
- rain
- tail
- feet
- sheep
- boat
- coat
- moon
- book
- farm
- fork
- turn
- cow
- coin
- chair
- night
Children should practise reading words containing the graphemes they have already been taught.
Phase 3 Tricky Words
Children are also introduced to additional tricky words during Phase 3.
Tricky words are words that contain parts that cannot yet be fully decoded using the phonics knowledge children have learned.
Children should practise reading these words regularly while continuing to use their phonics knowledge to decode any parts that are decodable.
Examples of words commonly introduced during this stage include:
he
she
we
me
be
was
you
they
The exact tricky words and teaching sequence can vary between phonics programmes.
[Explore Phase 3 tricky words →]
Reading Phase 3 Words
As children learn more graphemes, they should apply their knowledge when reading unfamiliar words.
For example, if a child has learned ai, they can use this knowledge to decode:
rain
tail
wait
paint
Rather than memorising every word, children should be encouraged to use their phonics knowledge to work out unfamiliar words.
This is an important part of becoming an independent reader.
Spelling Phase 3 Words
Children also use their Phase 3 phonics knowledge when spelling.
For example, if they want to spell:
ship
they can segment the word:
/sh/ /i/ /p/
and choose:
sh-i-p
For:
boat
they can hear:
/b/ /oa/ /t/
and write:
b-oa-t
Regular practice with segmenting helps children become increasingly confident spellers.
Reading Sentences in Phase 3
As children’s phonics knowledge grows, they can begin reading longer words, phrases and sentences.
For example:
The sheep is on the boat.
The chick is in the shed.
The rain is on the roof.
The most effective practice uses words containing graphemes children have already been taught.
This allows children to apply their phonics knowledge while developing reading fluency and comprehension.
How to Practise Phase 3 Phonics at Home
There are lots of simple ways to support Phase 3 phonics at home.
1. Practise the new sounds
Show your child a grapheme and ask them to say the phoneme.
For example:
sh → /sh/
ai → /ai/
igh → /igh/
Try to keep practice short and regular.
2. Practise digraphs and trigraphs
Help your child recognise that two or three letters can represent one sound.
For example:
sh
ch
ee
oa
igh
3. Blend Phase 3 words
Use words containing graphemes your child has learned.
For example:
sh-ee-p → sheep
r-ai-n → rain
ch-air → chair
4. Practise segmenting
Say a word and ask your child to identify the phonemes.
For example:
fish
→ /f/ /i/ /sh/
Then ask your child to write the word.
5. Build words
Use magnetic letters or phonics cards to build words.
For example:
rain → train
Change one grapheme or add a grapheme and ask your child to read the new word.
6. Read decodable books
Choose books that match the sounds and graphemes your child has been taught.
This gives children the opportunity to apply their phonics knowledge in connected text.
7. Practise tricky words
Use short activities to help your child recognise and read the tricky words they have been taught.
Phase 3 Phonics Activities
Digraph Matching
Match digraphs to pictures or words containing the corresponding sound.
Trigraph Practice
Help children identify trigraphs such as igh, ear, air and ure in words.
Word Building
Use magnetic letters or cards to build Phase 3 words.
Sound Sorting
Sort words according to their phoneme or grapheme.
For example:
ai → rain, snail, train
oa → boat, goat, road
Blending Practice
Show a word and ask children to identify each phoneme before blending the word.
Segmenting Practice
Say a word and ask children to identify the phonemes they can hear.
Sentence Reading
Create simple sentences using words containing the graphemes children have learned.
Free Phase 3 Phonics Resources
Ready to practise Phase 3 phonics?
Explore our collection of free printable Phase 3 phonics resources designed to help children practise their sounds, digraphs, trigraphs, blending, segmenting and early reading skills.
Phase 3 Flashcards
Practise Phase 3 graphemes, digraphs and trigraphs with printable phonics flashcards.
[Explore Phase 3 Flashcards →]
Phase 3 Worksheets
Reinforce sound recognition, blending, segmenting and Phase 3 word reading with printable worksheets.
[Explore Phase 3 Worksheets →]
Phase 3 Assessment
Check children’s understanding of Phase 3 sounds and their ability to apply their phonics knowledge when reading and spelling.
[Explore Phase 3 Assessment Resources →]
When Should Children Move Beyond Phase 3?
Children should move through phonics at a pace that reflects their individual progress.
Before moving on, children should have plenty of opportunities to practise and apply the grapheme-phoneme correspondences they have been taught.
Children working securely at Phase 3 should be developing the ability to:
- recognise the Phase 3 graphemes they have learned
- say the corresponding phonemes
- recognise common digraphs and trigraphs
- blend sounds to read words
- segment words for spelling
- read appropriate decodable words
- apply their phonics knowledge when reading sentences
- spell words using the graphemes they have learned
Once children are secure with their Phase 3 knowledge, they can continue developing their phonics skills by learning how to read and spell words containing further grapheme-phoneme correspondences.
What Comes After Phase 3?
After Phase 3, children continue building their phonics knowledge by learning additional graphemes and developing their ability to read and spell increasingly complex words.
Phase 4 focuses on consonant clusters and adjacent consonants, while continuing to practise the graphemes and phonemes children have already learned.
Phase 3 Phonics FAQs
What is Phase 3 phonics?
Phase 3 is a stage of systematic phonics teaching where children learn additional phonemes and graphemes, including common digraphs and trigraphs. They apply this knowledge to read and spell a wider range of words.
What sounds are taught in Phase 3?
Phase 3 commonly includes sounds represented by graphemes such as j, v, w, x, y, z, zz, qu, ch, sh, th, ng, ai, ee, igh, oa, oo, ar, or, ur, ow, oi, ear, air, ure and er. The exact sequence can vary between phonics programmes.
What is a digraph?
A digraph is a grapheme containing two letters that represent one phoneme. Examples include sh, ch, th, ai, ee and oa.
What is a trigraph?
A trigraph is a grapheme containing three letters that represent one phoneme. Examples include igh, ear, air and ure.
What are Phase 3 words?
Phase 3 words are words that children can decode using the graphemes they have been taught. Examples include ship, rain, boat, sheep, chair and night.
How can I help my child with Phase 3 phonics?
Practise the sounds your child has been taught, particularly digraphs and trigraphs. Read and build Phase 3 words, practise blending and segmenting, and share decodable books that match your child’s phonics knowledge.
What comes after Phase 3 phonics?
Children usually continue to Phase 4, where they develop their ability to read and spell words containing adjacent consonants and consonant clusters while continuing to practise previously learned graphemes.
Continue Your Phonics Journey
Ready to move on to the next stage?
Or browse our [Free Phonics Resources →] for printable activities, flashcards and worksheets to support phonics practice at home or in the classroom.