Parents have been teaching their children to read since the dawn of the printing press. Somewhere along the way, governments got a hold of the idea and pushed parents out of the way, then pretty much ruined education. Folks have been trying to fix the problem ever since. Schools are not fixable. 

Letters make sounds. Combinations of letters make sounds. All this translates into words. Words weave together to make stories, information and more.

Can some kids learn to read without phonics -- or pick up on the relationship by themselves? Yes, but why would you keep the foundation of reading English a secret from kids? From anyone?