This guide is designed for parents, teachers, and interventionists seeking evidence-based reading instruction aligned with current research.
What Is the Science of Reading?
An Evidence-Based Guide for Parents and Educators
The science of reading is an interdisciplinary body of research examining how humans learn to read, the cognitive processes involved, and the instructional methods proven most effective. It draws on cognitive psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, and education and focuses on methods proven to work for decades.
Reading instruction aligned with the science of reading typically includes systematic phonics, decodable texts, and explicit instruction that matches how the brain processes written language.
Table of Contents
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The 4 Elements of Evidence-Based Foundational Skills Practice
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How Children Learn to Read: Key Elements
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Phonemic Awareness
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Phonics
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Blending
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Orthographic Mapping
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Fluency
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Advanced Phonics
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Spelling & Fluency
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Comprehension
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Comprehension Hierarchy (Easiest → Hardest)
Why Decodable Texts Matter
Lesson plans based on the science of reading use decodable passages—texts that follow a sequential phonics progression.
These passages:
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Build grapheme–phoneme correspondences
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Reinforce phonics skills
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Boost confidence and accuracy
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Help students apply what they’ve learned in real text
4 Elements of Evidence-Based Foundational Skills Practice
1. Systematic
Instruction follows a precise sequence.
2. Explicit
Students see it, hear it, read it, and write it.
3. Practice
Students read decodable texts to make meaning and build mastery.
4. Assessment & Differentiation
Data (both informal and formal) guides instruction and supports.
How Children Learn to Read: Key Elements
Learning to read is not automatic. It develops step by step as the brain builds connections. Below is a simplified explanation based on decades of reading research.
1. Phonemic Awareness—Hearing Sounds in Words
Children must first be able to hear and manipulate the sounds (phonemes) in spoken words.
For example, children should be able to hear the sounds /c/, /a/, and /t/ in the word “cat.”
This is the foundation for phonics.
2. Phonics—Matching Sounds to Letters
Children learn how sounds map to graphemes (letters/letter combinations).
Examples:
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/s/ → s
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/sh/ → sh
3. Blending—Reading VC and CVC Words
Children blend sounds to decode:
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VC: at, up
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CVC: cat, mud, hop
Blending leads to decoding fluency.
4. Orthographic Mapping—Instant Word Recognition
High-frequency words (e.g., the, was, said) become automatic through orthographic mapping, not memorization.
The brain permanently links:
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Spelling
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Sounds
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Meaning
5. Fluency—Accuracy and Automaticity
Students begin to read short phrases:
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The sun is hot.
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I can run fast.
Fluency grows through rereading and decoding practice, which also supports comprehension.
6. Advanced Phonics Patterns
As students progress, they learn more complex skills:
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Consonant blends: bl, st, cr
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Digraphs: sh, th, wh
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Silent-e words: bike, cake
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R-controlled vowels: car, bird
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Vowel teams: rain, meat
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Prefixes/suffixes: un-, -ing, -ness
This unlocks longer, more complex words.
7. Why Fluency and Spelling Matter
Fluent readers don’t use mental energy on decoding—they can focus on comprehension.
Spelling supports reading by reinforcing word structure.
8. Comprehension—The Final Stage
In the early stages, students should not be expected to decode and deeply comprehend simultaneously.
Decoding uses:
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phonological system
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orthographic system
Comprehension uses:
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background knowledge
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vocabulary
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working memory
Best practice:
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Early phonics texts → focus on accuracy, fluency, and orthographic mapping
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Use read-alouds and shared reading for comprehension
This aligns with Scarborough’s Reading Rope.
The Comprehension Hierarchy (Easiest → Hardest)
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Literal Recall—Who? What? Where?
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Sequencing—first, next, last
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Basic Retelling—Beginning, middle, end
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Inferencing—Why did the character do that?
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Vocabulary in Context—What does this word mean here?
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Prediction/Connection—What might happen next? Does this relate to your life?
Children Learn to Read by Reading
Reading is a skill that strengthens through repetition, practice, and effort.
Neural pathways grow stronger when students:
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Struggle productively
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Reread texts
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Encounter meaningful words repeatedly
The brain is like a muscle: use builds strength and speed. Even professional musicians and athletes practice their skills daily!
Closed Captioning Tip
Activate closed captioning while watching TV or listening to an online book read aloud.
Finland consistently has the highest reading scores in the world—they widely use closed captioning.
Printable Resources
Published May 2012
Edited December 16, 2025
