Why is letter-sound recognition crucial for early literacy?

Letter-sound recognition is crucial for early literacy because it enables children to decode words by associating letters with their corresponding sounds. This foundational skill is essential for sounding out words, which is a vital strategy for reading unfamiliar texts. As children begin to understand that letters represent specific sounds, they develop the ability to blend these sounds together to read whole words. This process also supports their comprehension and fluency as readers, making it easier for them to retain the meaning of what they read.

In early literacy development, letter-sound recognition aids both reading and writing. It empowers children not only to read words but also to spell them, as understanding the sound of a letter helps them construct words phonetically. The role of letter-sound recognition extends beyond just identifying letters; it fosters a comprehensive understanding of the alphabetic principle, which is the cornerstone of reading instruction.