Phonics, tricky words and spellings without the nightly flashcard battle
1 min read Published 18 Oct 2026
By Holly Keenan, Primary School TeacherI hear this a lot. Phonics sounds, tricky words and spellings can feel like a never-ending pile of flashcards, and after a long day the last thing anyone wants is a sit-down drill. The good news is you don't need one.
Little and often is key
Try weaving the words into your daily routine instead. Short, frequent practice works far better than one long session, and it keeps learning engaging rather than a chore.
Put the words where you already are
Bathroom mirror: recap a few while you're brushing teeth
Fridge: stick some up to spot while breakfast or dinner is on
Wardrobe: a few more for getting dressed in the morning
In the car: keep a handful for the school run
Spotting the words naturally throughout the day keeps learning opportunities frequent and engaging, without it stealing your evenings. Once your child is confident with a word, swap it for a new one so there's always something fresh to spot.
What are tricky words?
Tricky words are common words that can't be fully sounded out using the phonics your child has learned so far, such as "the", "said" or "was". They just need lots of quick, repeated spotting until they stick.
This article is published by ParentBoost. It was written or reviewed for ParentBoost by the contributor below and edited by our team. It is general information for parents, not individual professional advice.
Holly Keenan
Primary School Teacher
Holly is a primary school teacher with experience across Reception, Year 1 and Year 3, and currently teaches Year 3. She holds a BA degree and a PGCE. Having taught children from their very first weeks at school through to the juniors, Holly shares the practical, everyday ways parents can support learning at home without it turning into a battle.
This article is general guidance for parents and carers, not medical, health, legal or other professional advice. Every child is different. If you're worried about your child's health or development, talk to your GP, health visitor or another suitable professional. In an emergency, call 999. For urgent advice, call NHS 111.
