What is the primary focus of phonics instruction?

The primary focus of phonics instruction is the relationship between letters and the sounds they represent. This foundational aspect of literacy education helps students understand how letters and combinations of letters correlate with specific sounds, enabling them to decode words. By emphasizing this letter-sound connection, phonics instruction provides learners with the tools necessary for reading unfamiliar words and enhances their overall reading fluency.

This approach is critical because it fosters a systematic understanding of how written language works, allowing students to apply these skills across various texts. Mastery of phonics gives students confidence and autonomy in their reading abilities, paving the way for more advanced reading comprehension and fluency as they progress in their literacy journey.