No, we didn't use phonics with Duncan. He pretty much taught himself to read at 2 just from us reading to him. One day he started doing phonics on his own in the car, but I don't recall if that was before or after he let us know he could read.

We did read to him a LOT. 3-4 books at bedtime, several during the day, whenever we got the chance and he was in the mood (which was pretty much always).