FTCE Reading K-12 Practice Exam 2026 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

Using sound in phonics instruction primarily helps students blend sounds into recognizable words. Phonics instruction focuses on the relationship between sounds (phonemes) and their corresponding letters or groups of letters (graphemes). When students learn to recognize individual sounds and then blend these sounds together, they can decode and read words more effectively. This process is crucial for developing reading skills, as it allows students to sound out unfamiliar words independently.

Furthermore, the auditory aspect of sound in phonics provides a multisensory approach, reinforcing the connection between spoken language and written text. By emphasizing sound, students are better equipped to tackle the complexities of reading, which includes not only recognizing words but also understanding their structure and pronunciation. Therefore, the integration of sound in phonics instruction is essential in building a strong foundation for fluent reading.