Phonics is an essential part of the science of reading, and it refers to the way letter patterns represent sounds and how we teach those patterns. Phonics plays a critical role in understanding the science of reading, as good instruction in word decoding supports good reading outcomes in English. The ultimate goal of reading instruction is for kids to show strong comprehension of challenging texts.
The science of reading is a complex and ever-evolving field, but one aspect that is often at the forefront of discussions is phonics. Phonics is the study of how letter patterns represent sounds and how we teach those patterns. It is a crucial component of the science of reading, as good instruction in word decoding supports good reading outcomes in English.
How is decoding related to reading?
Decoding is a crucial component of reading, and when researchers investigate what matters in literacy instruction, they look at how a specific skill affects growth in the bigger domain of reading with comprehension. For elementary readers, improving word decoding gives kids a big boost in comprehension, both in the short and long term.
However, good word decoding is necessary for reading with understanding, but it is not sufficient. Once a student has strong word decoding skills, growth in reading comprehension becomes more dependent on language, including vocabulary and knowledge.
Early assessment of reading and decoding
Early identification and intervention are critical to support decoding for those who struggle. Targeted early intervention is the most effective way to find the right kids who are likely to struggle with decoding and intervene before they fall behind in reading.
The science of reading clearly points to how teachers can best support the earliest stages of decoding. The first step is to systematically and explicitly teach children to hear and work with the phonemes, or individual sounds, within words. This instruction should also include pairing sounds with visual letters, which research has shown to be more effective in helping children learn to decode words.
Research tells us that by assessing particular early skills, even before kids can read words, we can identify those students who are likely to struggle with decoding. Screening for signs of dyslexia and other decoding difficulties homes in on those early, pre-reading skills that matter. The two key components of this screening are phonemic awareness and alphabet knowledge.
How can we launch decoding in reading?
To launch decoding, the science of reading clearly points to how teachers can best support the earliest stages of decoding. First, it works to systematically and explicitly teach kids to hear and work with the phonemes, or individual sounds, within words. This instruction should also include pairing sounds with visual letters, which is more effective in helping kids learn to decode words.
Navigating the English language can be challenging, as words like ‘dot,’ ‘taut,’ and ‘thought’ all rhyme. Good word decoding is necessary for reading with understanding, but it is not sufficient. The Simple View of Reading states that once a student has strong word decoding skills, growth in reading comprehension becomes more dependent on language, including vocabulary and knowledge.
Taking the next steps
In conclusion, phonics is a crucial part of the science of reading, and it is essential for word decoding and reading comprehension. Early identification and intervention, along with systematic and explicit instruction, are key to launching decoding and supporting students in their reading journey. The science of reading is bigger than phonics, but it is an essential component of the overall literacy instruction and understanding of what works and what matters in reading instruction.
Learn with Koala has been built with the help of structured literacy instructors and researchers: Orton-Gillingham tutors, Barton tutors, Wilson and many other branches of the structured literacy world. All of the above believe that phonics is the foundation of literacy instructions. Learn with Koala offers many of the best phonics classes for young learners with talented structured literacy tutors. You can find and book those classes at this page.
