For this activity, Jacob worked with all of the digraphs from Phase 2 and the first four from Phase 3. However, this can easily be adapted to use with any other digraphs or trigraphs (please see my information section for the order of teaching digraphs and trigraphs and a guide to the phases of phonics).

  • Rice 
  • Poster paint
  • Freezer bags – sealable
  • Card
  • Scissors
  • Black pen
  • Tray (or shoebox lid)
  • Pastry brush (or paintbrush}

  • Make the ‘rainbow rice’ by placing the rice in the freezer bags, adding a different colour paint to each one and sealing and shaking until the rice is coloured (see photo) – leave to dry by tipping out and spreading on paper
  • Cut a circle from the card which fits into the bottom of the tray
  • Write the digraphs on the card (repeating a few times) and place in the tray
  • Pour a thin layer of rainbow rice over the top (so that it just covers the words)
  • Ask your child to use the brush to move the rice until they find a digraph (developing fine motor skills)
  • Ask your child to sound out the digraph

  • Communication and Language 
  • Physical Development 
  • Personal, Social and Emotional Development 
  • Literacy