The skill that is most critical for a student just starting to learn to read is accurate decoding. Decoding refers to the ability to recognize and accurately sound out written words, translating letters and letter combinations into their corresponding sounds. This foundational skill is essential because it enables students to read unfamiliar words by using their knowledge of phonics and letter-sound relationships.
For beginning readers, being able to decode is crucial as it allows them to access a broader range of texts. Mastery of decoding provides the tools needed for students to sound out words they encounter, thereby increasing their exposure to vocabulary and sentence structure. As they practice and gain confidence in decoding, they can gradually shift their focus to other important aspects of reading, such as fluency and comprehension.
Other skills mentioned, such as quick identification of sight words, recognition of letter names, and understanding of prefixes and suffixes, are important too but typically build on the foundational ability to decode. Without strong decoding skills, students may struggle to read even the simplest texts, hindering their progress in reading development.