A child who deciphers a coded message on the back of a cereal box knows that decoding means translating visual symbols into ideas, usually word sounds. Phonics describes the relationship between speech sounds and the alphabet symbols that represent those sounds. Beginning reading instruction helps children see regular patterns in our alphabet code so they gain a sense of control over the printed page. And though reading is far more than simply decoding printed words into spoken ones, knowing and using phonics give the reader a strong tool for understanding the printed message.

A study completed at the University of Oregon found that deficits in phonics explain a significant proportion of young readers' problems, including difficulties with comprehension. Phonics guides young readers in figuring out unfamiliar words, giving them the confidence to personally decipher words and build meaningful messages.

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