Progressive Phonics

What is Progressive Phonics?

Progressive Phonics is a free phonics program made up of downloadable books, handwriting sheets and games. Progressive Phonics Co. has published it online since 2004. The idea is simple: any adult can teach a child to read in a few minutes a day, without training or a teacher manual.

It covers the alphabet, short and long vowels, blends, digraphs and the common sight words that don't follow the rules, such as was, are and one. Handwriting practice is built in, because the company believes children learn words better when they write them.

How it works

Each lesson is a short illustrated book that you read together, a bit like reading parts in a play. You read the regular text. Your child reads the big red words, which are the words that book teaches. That means a beginner who only knows a handful of sounds can still read whole, funny sentences with you.

A typical session looks like this:

1. Read one short section of the book together, helping your child sound out red words.
2. Reread it a few times. The quick start guide stresses repetition, because a child may need to see a word dozens of times before reading it instantly.
3. Do the matching handwriting sheet, or play the flash card or memory game.

Books can be read on a computer or tablet or printed at home. There's no placement test. Kids who know their letters start at Beginner Book 1, and kids still learning letters start with the Alphabetti books.

What it covers

The Intermediate series has 15 books. The Advanced series is mid-update: as of October 2026, the site has eight newer Advanced books and asks families to use the older Advanced books for the rest.

Who it's best for

Progressive Phonics fits families who want to start right now at no cost, especially with a preschooler or kindergartner. It also suits tutors and grandparents who want something simple to read with a child. Browse more phonics programs for kindergarten if you want options at this stage.

Look elsewhere if you want scripted lesson plans, a printed boxed set, or a structured intervention for a child who is really struggling. Our reading programs for struggling readers are a better starting point there.

Pricing at a glance

It's free. The FAQ says a sponsor now pays for development. Your real costs are printer ink and paper. The books are long, so many parents print in black and white or use the two-on-a-page versions.

Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?

There's nothing to pay for. If your family uses an ESA or a scholarship program, you can put those dollars toward a paired curriculum, decodable readers or a tutor instead. Rules differ by state, so check your program's guide. Examples include Arizona ESA and Florida scholarships. You can save any product to your wishlist on Edulist and apply to several programs with one application.

How it compares

Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons is also a low-cost, parent-led option. It's more scripted and moves faster, and some kids find it dry. Bob Books give you printed decodable readers but no teaching plan. Explode the Code workbooks pair well with Progressive Phonics for written practice. UFLI offers a more rigorous, research-aligned scope and sequence for families ready to put in more structure.

For a ranked view, see our best phonics programs, or browse every phonics product and reading program.