What is the focus of the initial step in teaching words?

The initial step in teaching words focuses on short vowel sounds because these sounds form the foundation for developing phonemic awareness and decoding skills in early readers. When students learn short vowel sounds, they can begin to recognize and sound out simple, one-syllable words, which is crucial for their reading progression. Mastering short vowel sounds enables students to build upon these essential skills as they encounter more complex structures and sounds in the English language.

In contrast, long vowel sounds, initial digraphs, and multi-syllabic words are typically introduced later in the learning process, once students have a solid grasp of short vowel sounds. This progression ensures that students develop their reading skills systematically, allowing them to tackle increasingly complex words with confidence.