What does "phonics" refer to in reading instruction?

Phonics refers to the method of teaching reading that focuses on the relationship between sounds (phonemes) and the letters or groups of letters (graphemes) that represent those sounds in written language. This approach helps students understand how to decode words by sounding them out based on their letter combinations. By learning phonics, students gain skills in recognizing patterns in spelling and pronunciation, which facilitates their ability to read unfamiliar words and improve overall reading proficiency. This method is foundational for early reading instruction, enabling learners to develop strong decoding skills essential for fluent reading.