After SATPIN, the rest of the alphabet is introduced in small groups of 4, same pattern as Stage 1: sound first, blending practice with real words as soon as a group is secure. There are 25 single-letter sounds in total (not 26) — "q" is never taught alone, because in English it's always followed by "u" and pronounced as the digraph "qu" (queen, quick).
Why this stage matters
This stage completes the child's single-letter sound inventory. Blending (Stage 3) keeps running the whole time — every new group of 4 sounds is put straight into real words — so by the end, the child is reading CVC words with any letter, not just the SATPIN six.
How long it usually takes
4–8 weeks, introducing 4 new sounds roughly every 4–6 days alongside daily review of everything taught so far.
The most common struggle
Reversing similar-looking letters (b/d, p/q) — common and usually resolves with more reading practice, not extra drilling. Read more →