What is the primary focus of phonics in the context of teaching reading?

Phonics primarily focuses on teaching students to correlate sounds with letters, which is essential for developing reading skills. This method enables learners to understand the relationship between written letters and their corresponding sounds, helping them decode words as they read. By mastering phonics, students can increase their ability to sound out new words, contributing to fluent reading and supporting independent reading development.

The emphasis on phonics is crucial because it lays the foundation for other literacy skills, such as spelling and vocabulary development, which are built upon the understanding of sound-letter relationships. This foundational knowledge equips students with the tools they need to tackle more complex texts and enhances their overall reading comprehension.