As is the case with many different subjects, even phonics can be taught to kids in a number of different ways. These different approaches to the learning of phonics have been devised by different people. It is not fair to see that a particular method is better than another one. How to teach phonics and which method to use depends on the person who is teaching, as well as the children who are being taught. For instance, a parent may realize that one of his kids is better at learning phonics when the child is taught synthetic phonics. On the other hand, another child may be able to grasp the rules of analytical phonics more readily. Thus, there is no right or wrong method of teaching this complex topic. Whatever works best for you and your kids is the right approach for you. Yes, it could be a matter of trial and error that would help you to understand which the better approach is. But once that matter is decided, then how to teach phonics is not a question that you will need to ask ever again.
It is believed that kids who learn analytical phonics start reading stories for children much faster than those kids who are taught with the help of synthetic phonics rules. This is due to the fact that analytical phonics teaches children to recognize sight words and also makes them aware of the other clues that could be hidden in the books, which may help them to read the text. For example, children are encouraged to look at the pictures on the pages and try and see whether they can pick up a pictorial clue from the illustrations. So, let us assume that the word kitchen appears in the text of the stories for children. It is a big word and some kids may have difficulty reading the word or pronouncing it in the right manner. Thus, they can see the illustrations on the page and if there is a picture of a kitchen on the page, then that can be used as a clue to help them read the written word.
Similarly, analytical phonics encourages kids to analyze the words and read them. They are taught different words patterns and are also taught that a group of words sounds in this particular manner. Thus, if a word such as BAT is on the page, then the child will be taught to read the B with the sound of B, but the words AT will be read in combination as at. These two letters will not be read separately. This approach is very different from the approach used in synthetic phonics, so it is important to follow any one way of teaching phonics and not use both at the same time.