Scarborough’s reading rope shows that language comprehension and word recognition are made up of multiple strands that are intertwined to form a skilled reader (Defining Movement, 2021). Any strand that is weak or missing ultimately weakens the entire rope. Reading begins long before a child can recognize letters and words. From birth, children are preparing themselves to become readers. Throughout this handbook, you will find 7 components of literacy: phonological awareness, phonics, word recognition, vocabulary, comprehension, written expression and fluency. Each component plays an important role in the development of a strong reader.