Jolly Phonics classes in Bengaluru
Help your child read, write and spell with confidence
Butterflies Montessori runs Jolly Phonics classes led by a certified Jolly Phonics trainer. Children learn the sounds that make up English words, then use those sounds to read and write their first words and sentences.
Classes are available online and offline, so you can choose what fits your family. Offline classes take place at our Montessori school in East Bengaluru, and online classes can be joined from home.
- 1Taught by a certified Jolly Phonics trainer
- 2Online and offline classes
- 3Multi-sensory lessons with actions, songs and stories
- 4Covers reading, writing and spelling together
What is Jolly Phonics?
A synthetic phonics method children enjoy
Jolly Phonics was developed in the UK by teachers Sue Lloyd and Sara Wernham. It is a synthetic phonics programme, which means children learn individual letter sounds first and then blend those sounds together to read words.
The difference parents notice most is that children learn letter sounds before letter names. Instead of "ay, bee, see", a child learns that the letter s makes a "sss" sound. Once they know a handful of sounds, they can start reading simple words such as sat, pin and tap on their own.
Every sound comes with an action, a short story and often a song. A child might weave their hand like a snake for "s" or tap their fingers for "t". Linking sounds to movement, pictures and music helps young children remember them, and it keeps lessons lively.
How it works
The five skills your child will learn
Jolly Phonics teaches five skills side by side, so reading and writing grow together rather than one at a time.
Learning the letter sounds
Children learn the 42 main sounds of English, including sounds written with two letters such as sh, ai and ee.
Letter formation
They learn to hold a pencil correctly and form each letter, saying its sound as they write.
Blending
Children push sounds together to read a word, for example s-a-t becomes sat.
Identifying sounds in words
They listen for each sound in a spoken word and write it down, which is the first step to spelling.
Tricky words
Common words that don't follow the rules, such as the, said and was, are learned separately.
The 42 letter sounds
Seven groups, taught in a set order
The sounds are not taught in alphabetical order. The first group, s, a, t, i, p and n, lets children build dozens of real words almost immediately, which gives them an early feeling of success.
The repeated "oo" and "th" stand for two different sounds each: the short "oo" in book and the long "oo" in moon, and the "th" in this and in thin.
Choose your format
Online or offline: which suits your child?
Both formats follow the same Jolly Phonics method. The right choice usually depends on your child's age, attention span and your family's routine.
Offline classes
- Children practise sounds and actions alongside other children
- Hands-on materials and writing practice with the trainer beside them
- Often easier for younger children who find screens distracting
- Held at our school in East Bengaluru
Online classes
- No travel through Bengaluru traffic
- Easy to fit around school and family routines
- Parents can sit in and learn the actions to repeat at home
- Works well for children who are comfortable on a video call
Not sure which to pick? Call us and we'll help you decide.
For parents
How you can support phonics at home
A few minutes of practice at home makes a real difference. You don't need special materials.
- Use sounds, not names. When you point to a letter, say its sound ("mmm") rather than its name ("em"), at least in the early weeks.
- Play "I spy" with sounds. "I spy something beginning with sss" is a simple way to practise listening for the first sound in a word.
- Read together every day. Let your child sound out short words they already know, and read the harder parts to them.
- Keep it short and fun. Five to ten happy minutes works better than a long session that ends in tears.
- Ask about the actions. Let your child teach you the action for each new sound. Explaining it helps them remember.
Questions parents ask
Jolly Phonics FAQs
What age is right for Jolly Phonics?
Jolly Phonics is usually taught when children are starting to read, which for many children is around LKG and UKG. Every child is different, so call us and we will talk through whether your child is ready.
Will my child stop learning the alphabet names?
No. Children still learn letter names, usually a little later. Learning the sounds first simply makes it easier to start reading words.
My child already knows the alphabet. Is phonics still useful?
Yes. Knowing letter names does not by itself help a child read a new word. Phonics teaches them how to work out unfamiliar words by blending sounds.
What are the fees and class timings?
Batches, timings and fees can change through the year, so please call either branch for the current schedule.
How do I enrol?
Call the B. Narayanapura branch on +91 78292 22929 or the Malleshpalya branch on +91 78292 12229, or send us an enquiry through the contact page.
Book a Jolly Phonics class in Bengaluru
Speak to our team about online and offline batches, timings and fees. We have branches in B. Narayanapura and Malleshpalya.