What are sight words, and why are they important for early readers?

Sight words are commonly used words that children learn to recognize instantly, which is crucial for improving reading fluency. Recognizing these words on sight allows early readers to read more quickly and smoothly, as they do not have to stop to sound out each word. This immediate recognition helps in understanding the overall meaning of sentences and texts, making reading a more enjoyable and less frustrating experience for young learners.

Learning sight words lays a foundational skill for reading success, as these words often appear frequently in everyday texts, including books, school materials, and signs. By mastering sight words, children can focus on comprehension and vocabulary development, rather than getting bogged down in decoding individual words. This fluency is essential as students progress to more complex texts in their reading journey.