Why is it essential to integrate comprehension skills with phonics instruction?

Integrating comprehension skills with phonics instruction is crucial because decoding and understanding are deeply interrelated components of reading proficiency. Phonics helps students recognize and sound out words, which is the foundational skill needed to access text. However, mere decoding does not guarantee comprehension; students must also understand what they are reading to make meaning of the text.

When phonics instruction is paired with comprehension strategies, students not only learn how to read words but also how to interpret and engage with the content. This dual focus ensures that learners become strategic readers who can both decode the written language and comprehend the ideas, themes, and information conveyed through text. Therefore, the relationship between decoding and comprehension is a key factor in developing proficient readers, making this integration essential for effective literacy development.