How do decoding skills and reading comprehension relate in beginning readers?

Decoding skills and reading comprehension are intricately connected in beginning readers, and recognizing this relationship is essential for promoting overall literacy development. Decoding refers to the ability to translate written words into their corresponding sounds and meanings. This skill is foundational for learning to read, as it allows students to recognize and process written text effectively.

When children have strong decoding skills, they can more easily read words accurately and fluently. This fluency naturally supports comprehension, as readers can focus their attention on understanding the text rather than struggling with word recognition. Consequently, decoding is a critical step toward achieving successful reading comprehension, as it lays the groundwork for students to engage deeply with the material they are reading.

In many educational contexts, it is emphasized that proficiency in decoding directly influences a child's ability to comprehend what they read. Therefore, while both decoding skills and reading comprehension are vital, decoding serves as an essential building block that enables readers to make sense of the text and fully grasp its meaning. This interconnectedness illustrates why the chosen answer correctly shows that decoding is essential for fluency and comprehension.