What do 'word families' primarily relate to in phonics instruction?

Word families primarily relate to spelling patterns in phonics instruction. A word family is a group of words that share a common feature or pattern, typically the same ending or phonetic structure, which can help students recognize these patterns when reading and writing. For example, in the word family "-at," words like "cat," "hat," and "bat" share the same ending sound and letters, allowing learners to make connections between them.

Understanding these spelling patterns supports the development of decoding skills, enabling students to apply their knowledge of familiar patterns to new words. This aspect of phonics instruction focuses on building a solid foundation in spelling that underpins many words in the English language, facilitating smoother reading and writing experiences for learners.