What is the primary goal of blending phonemes in reading instruction?

The primary goal of blending phonemes in reading instruction is to develop decoding skills. Decoding involves the ability to translate written words into their corresponding sounds, which is essential for reading. By blending phonemes—units of sound that can come together to form words—students learn to recognize the connection between letters and sounds. This skill allows them to sound out words they may not have encountered before, fostering independence in reading.

When students are proficient in blending phonemes, they can effectively break down unfamiliar words into manageable sounds, then recombine those sounds to articulate the whole word. This foundational skill is crucial for early readers as they build their reading abilities and begin to tackle more complex texts. As students practice blending, they become more confident in their reading capabilities, which can subsequently lead to improved fluency and comprehension skills as they progress.