What does the phonics approach primarily emphasize?

The phonics approach primarily emphasizes the relationship between sounds and letters, which is critical in the process of learning to read. By focusing on how specific sounds correspond to letters and groups of letters (graphemes), students learn to decode words phonetically. This foundational skill enables them to sound out unfamiliar words, enhancing their ability to read independently.

In this approach, reading is structured around understanding how phonemes (the smallest units of sound) work together to form words and how these words can be blended together to form coherent speech and text. This emphasis on sound-letter relationships aids in building vocabulary and fluency, which are essential for later reading comprehension.

The other options present valid educational goals but do not directly align with the central aim of the phonics approach. Comprehension of entire texts focuses more on understanding meaning rather than decoding skills. Visual recognition of words relates to sight word strategies, which are different from phonetic decoding. Development of writing skills involves crafting text but is not the focal point of phonics instruction itself.