we never did any formal teaching of reading or having him read for learning or practice. he just learned from following the words while I read to him I think. He could read at 2 for sure because he would question things I typed to DH on IM "Mommy, what are you telling Daddy about bubbles?" etc He just learned and read at his own pace. he's 10 now and always had a super high reading level and comprehension so I never thought about any of it. They had him on a 3 yr accelerated track in his gifted elementary and the word "phonics" has pretty much never been mentioned in his education. I wouldn't worry about it.
I've seen those phonics puzzles you are talking about. I don't think that's any fun for a kid
My DD wasn't an early reader, didn't have the same desire to be read to or attention span DS had early on. I bought her some BOB books in gr K and she "got it". We just let her read anything that appealed to her after that, board books, early readers, Level books, Rainbow Fairies, whatever got her interested. Now at age 8 she is a great reader, above gr level and has fantastic comprehension too.
