What is the primary focus of teaching reading and spelling through phonics?

The primary focus of teaching reading and spelling through phonics is the connection between letters and sounds. Phonics instruction emphasizes the relationships between the individual sounds in spoken language (phonemes) and the letters or groups of letters that represent those sounds (graphemes). Through phonics, students learn how to decode words by translating these letter-sound correspondences. This foundational skill is critical for developing strong reading abilities, as it enables learners not only to read new words independently but also to enhance their spelling skills by understanding how sounds relate to written language.

By mastering phonics, students gain the tools necessary to read unfamiliar words, improve their reading fluency, and build a solid base for comprehension. Phonics instruction is designed to help learners systematically understand and apply these sound-letter connections, making it an essential component of effective reading and spelling education.