What is the primary objective of phonics instruction?

The primary objective of phonics instruction is to teach students the relationship between sounds and their corresponding letters or letter combinations. This foundational skill is crucial for developing reading abilities because phonics enables children to decode words by connecting the sounds they hear in spoken language with the letters they see in written language. By understanding these relationships, students can sound out unfamiliar words, improving their ability to read independently and fluently.

Phonics instruction not only supports the development of decoding skills but also lays the groundwork for spelling, as students learn how sounds are represented in writing. As they practice phonics, students become more confident readers, which is essential for their overall literacy development.