Videos are a such a fun and engaging way to teach and reinforce phonics rules that require a ton of repetition and practice to master. I rounded up the best phonics channels on YouTube for the classroom!
It’s no secret I love to incorporate videos into my phonics instruction to reinforce skills through movement and music.
(If you think I’m exaggerating, check out this GIANT list of phonics videos based on skill! 🙌)
When picking out my favorite videos for other posts, I noticed a trend: a lot of my favorite content comes from the same channels! I decided to make a list of my very favorite channels.
The Absolute BEST Phonics YouTube Channels
Sprinkling educational videos into my lesson plans is fun for both me and my students. We all enjoy the short break. (And sometimes, it’s nice to listen to someone else for a change).
It’s important to me that any video I show is a truly meaningful addition to my lesson. Instructional minutes are oh so important, and oh, so limited!
These are the channels that I know I can count on to have accurate, well thought out content. They include videos to teach and practice specific phonics skills.
Some are meant to sit, watch and listen. Others are meant to get up and get moving. All of them have been helpful in my own classroom as we work on mastering phonics skills!
Jack Hartmann
Jack Hartmann has videos for pretty much any beginning phonics skill you may be looking for. (He appears on almost all of my phonics YouTube videos lists!)
His videos are fun and engaging. They always include catchy music and movements that kids can easily follow.
The biggest problem I have with Jack Hartmann is that his videos are SO catchy we are often singing them all day. ? But it’s good that the skills are sticking in our minds so I can’t really complain! 😉
Have Fun Teaching
The Have Fun Teaching channel has videos for every letter of the alphabet, songs for sight words, and even songs for story elements.
They have organized their videos into playlists so you can easily find the folder with all of the letter videos or sight word videos.
We especially love the Alphabet Song, which currently has over 125 million views. It’s that great!
Alphablocks
Alphablocks’ videos are perfect for introducing and reinforcing phonics concepts. The visual representation of blending and reading words is perfect for kids learning to read.
The playlists tab has all of their videos organized by phonics skills so it’s easy to find the videos that go with whatever you’re working on.
These videos are longer but have lots of great content in them. If you don’t have time to watch the whole video you can find portions that are really helpful.
Note: the Alphablocks speak in an English accent. I make sure to point this out to my students as some of the sounds are said with an accent that is different from ours. It is never a problem, I just like to mention it! #teachablemoments #always
Miss Molly
This channel has videos for the letters of the alphabet, sight word and word families! These videos display the letters nice and big and use adorable drawings to complement the words.
The songs are a lot more “relaxed” than most of the other learning videos you find on YouTube and I love that, especially for times when we really need a few moments of calm. (I.E. all the time. 😂)
Heidi Songs
Heidi songs are so catchy I often find them running through my own brain at all hours. (Like at midnight when I can’t sleep. 🤦🏽♀️)
This channel has playlists for phonics, spelling, letter sounds and sight words. The videos are catchy, have easy movements kids can do and are well made.
Note: There are videos that show classes doing the songs but there are also videos that show an adult doing the movements. I prefer the latter, but I also like that there are different options.)
Preschool Prep Company
This channel has short videos on phonics skills ranging from learning the alphabet, to sight words to blends and digraphs.
The letters in the videos are the “characters” which gives an excellent visual to new readers.
The videos are well made. They feature a lot of repetition and examples that students can relate to.
Sesame Street
I couldn’t make a list of the best phonics YouTube channels and not include Sesame Street!
I love finding videos they have made to match all of the skills we practice. There is a playlist on this channel dedicated to all of their alphabet videos! 🥳
These short videos are well made, have lots of repetition and dive deeper into other content. 🐬
For example, the letter “s” video gives examples of the letter and shows it many times but also talks about the seasons in the year. These videos were a favorite of mine and my students.
Do you like to use videos to reinforce skills in your classroom? Did I include your favorite phonics YouTube channel? If you have others you love, please let me know! 👇 I am always expanding my horizons. 🙌
If you’re looking for videos based on a specific skill like rhyming or digraphs, check out my giant (yet specific!) list of ALL my favorite phonics YouTube videos!
