What is the primary purpose of phonics instruction in the reading process?

The primary purpose of phonics instruction in the reading process is to help students learn the relationships between letters and sounds. Phonics is essential for developing reading skills as it enables students to decode words, understand the sound structure of language, and recognize how letters correspond to specific sounds. This foundational skill is critical as it empowers students to read new words independently and enhances their overall literacy development.

In contrast, memorizing words may aid in developing sight word recognition, but it does not provide the foundational skills necessary for decoding unfamiliar words. Guessing the meaning of text may lead to misunderstandings, as it relies on context rather than sound-letter relationships. Lastly, while handwriting skills are important for writing development, they do not directly contribute to reading skills or comprehension in the same way that phonics does. Thus, phonics instruction focuses intently on the crucial link between letters and sounds, supporting effective reading strategies.