What is the primary focus of phonics instruction?

The primary focus of phonics instruction is to teach the relationship between sounds and their corresponding letters or letter combinations. This foundational skill is essential for developing reading abilities, as phonics enables students to decode unknown words by linking sounds (phonemes) to their written forms (graphemes). Mastering phonics gives learners the tools they need to sound out words, which is a critical step in becoming proficient readers.

Through systematic phonics instruction, students learn how different letters and clusters of letters are connected to the sounds of spoken language. This understanding helps them recognize and read new words independently, thereby enhancing their overall reading comprehension and fluency.

The other options emphasize different aspects of literacy education, such as vocabulary, reading fluency, and writing, but they do not capture the core aim of phonics, which is centered on the sound-letter relationship.