Which skill does understanding phonics primarily support?

Understanding phonics primarily supports the ability to decode and spell words accurately. Phonics involves the relationship between sounds and their corresponding letters or letter combinations. When students grasp phonics, they learn how to break down words into individual sounds, or phonemes, and connect these sounds to the appropriate letters, enabling them to read unfamiliar words by sounding them out.

This skill is foundational for reading fluency, as it empowers students to tackle new words and increases their overall reading comprehension. Additionally, phonics instruction enhances spelling capabilities, as learners apply their understanding of how sounds are represented in written language. This link between phonics, decoding, and spelling is crucial for developing strong literacy skills in young learners.