A fundamental aspect of early literacy instruction is guiding learners in associating individual letters with their corresponding sounds. This phonics-based approach enables beginners to decode written words by understanding the relationship between graphemes (letters) and phonemes (sounds). For example, a child learns that the letter ‘m’ typically represents the /m/ sound, which then contributes to reading words like “mat” or “mom.”
Proficiency in recognizing and producing letter sounds provides a crucial foundation for reading fluency, comprehension, and spelling skills. Historically, various methodologies have emphasized phonics as a core element in literacy development, demonstrating its enduring value in building strong reading abilities. Early and effective phonics instruction has been linked to increased reading success and a decreased likelihood of reading difficulties later in life.
