Phonics

I am firmly rooted in the Phonics camp. I think showing children the sounds that the letters make and really driving home that letters are sounds will provide children with an excellent foundation for reading enjoyment. Written language is kind of like a code. When you start your children down this road from an early time you give them tools to crack that code.
I love the Alphafriends
Each letter has a friendly little animal with it. As you teach your kids you say (For example)
Mimi Mouse-MMMM the letter M.  So they are learning the sound of the letter and hearing it in a full word.

Here are a few youtube videos that I enjoy showing Bella