What does decoding refer to in early literacy development?

Decoding refers to the ability to understand that letters represent sounds, which is a fundamental skill in early literacy development. This process involves taking written language and translating it into spoken language by assigning sounds to the corresponding letters or groups of letters. It is essential for children as they learn to read, allowing them to sound out words they encounter in text. By grasping the relationship between letters and their associated sounds, children can become proficient readers and begin to decode more complex words and sentences as their literacy skills develop.

In contrast, understanding sentence structure pertains to how sentences are formed and organized, which is a more advanced skill that comes after basic decoding skills are established. Recognizing alphabet letters is a foundational component of reading but does not encompass the full meaning of decoding. Memorizing word lists may help with sight recognition but does not develop the ability to decode new, unfamiliar words, which relies heavily on the understanding that letters convey sounds.