{"id":26828,"date":"2024-08-21T13:31:00","date_gmt":"2024-08-21T21:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/?p=26828"},"modified":"2026-04-27T14:58:34","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T21:58:34","slug":"what-is-decoding-in-reading","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/advice\/what-is-decoding-in-reading\/26828","title":{"rendered":"\u00a0What is Decoding in Reading?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What is<\/strong> Decoding in Reading<\/strong>?<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Learn how decoding shapes literacy skills, and get great tips on teaching your child how to do it.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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By Jill Staake<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reviewed by Dr. Nika Fabienke<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Table of Contents<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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The Definition of Decoding<\/strong><\/strong> in Reading<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is Decoding Important to Reading?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tools for Decoding<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Examples of Decodable Words<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Decodable Words vs. Sight Words<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips for Teaching Kids How to Decode Words<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As your child begins learning to read, they\u2019ll start out by working with \u201cdecodable words.\u201d But what exactly are decodable words, and why are they so important? Learn the details, plus get tips for teaching this key skill. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Definition of Decoding in Reading<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Picture a new reader pointing to a word, slowly sounding it out letter by letter. After a few false starts, they string all the sounds together and triumphantly say the word, proud of their accomplishment. This skill is known as \u201cdecoding,\u201d and it\u2019s an important part of the evidence-based science of reading<\/a> approach that most schools and reading programs use today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Decoding in Reading<\/strong>:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The ability to translate written words into speech, usually by using knowledge of letter-sound relationships, or phonics. It involves breaking down a written word into parts (i.e., sounds, syllables, roots, affixes) that can be spoken verbally. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Decoding in reading is essentially the act of sounding a word out. <\/strong>It involves using knowledge of letter-sound relationships and letter patterns to accurately pronounce written words. Decoding can also involve identifying word parts, like a root word or suffix, to determine the whole word. This understanding enables children to quickly identify familiar words and decipher unfamiliar ones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Why is Decoding Important to Reading?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Along with language comprehension, decoding is a critical part of the act of reading. According to research from the National Institute for Literacy<\/a>, \u201cthere is consistent data showing failure to develop basic decoding skills by first grade is predictive of lifelong poor literacy.\u201d <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Readers use decoding skills in reading fluency<\/a>, vocabulary building, and reading comprehension<\/a>.  Even adults use decoding skills when they encounter unfamiliar words.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Decoding Helps Readers:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n