Phonics

Phonics is a method of teaching reading that focuses on the relationship between letters and their corresponding sounds. It helps children understand how to decode words by blending the sounds of individual letters or groups of letters to form complete words. For example, in phonics instruction, children learn that the letter "c" makes a /k/ sound, while "at" makes the short vowel sound /æ/, leading to the word "cat." By mastering phonics, children gain the skills needed to read unfamiliar words independently, as they learn to sound them out based on their knowledge of letter-sound relationships. This foundational skill not only enhances reading proficiency but also boosts overall literacy development.