What Is the Science of Reading?

An Evidence-Based Guide for Parents and Educators

The science of reading refers to an interdisciplinary body of research examining how humans learn to read, the cognitive processes involved, and the instructional methods proven to be most effective. It draws from cognitive psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, and education, emphasizing practices backed by decades of evidence.

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.

What Is the Science of Reading?
Why Decodable Texts Matter
The 4 Elements of Evidence-Based Foundational Skills Practice
How Children Learn to Read: Key Elements
- Phonemic Awareness
- Phonics
- Blending
- Orthographic Mapping
- Fluency
- Advanced Phonics
- Spelling & Fluency
- Comprehension
Comprehension Hierarchy (Easiest → Hardest)
Why Practice Matters
Closed Captioning Tip
Editable Word Document Offer

Why Decodable Texts Matter

Lesson plans based on the science of reading use decodable passages—texts that follow a sequential phonics progression.
These passages:

Build grapheme–phoneme correspondences
Reinforce phonics skills
Boost confidence and accuracy
Help students apply what they’ve learned in real text

4 Elements of Evidence-Based Foundational Skills Practice

1. Systematic

Instruction follows a clear 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 (informal and formal) guides instruction and support.

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 research in reading.

1. Phonemic Awareness — Hearing Sounds in Words

Children must first be able to hear and manipulate the sounds (phonemes) in spoken words.
Example: hearing /c/ /a/ /t/ in cat.
This is the foundation for phonics.

2. Phonics — Matching Sounds to Letters

Children learn how sounds map to graphemes (letters/letter combinations).

Examples:

/s/ → s
/sh/ → sh

3. Blending—Reading VC and CVC Words

Children blend sounds to decode:

VC: at, up
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:

Spelling
Sounds
Meaning

5. Fluency — Accuracy and Automaticity

Students begin to read short phrases:

The sun is hot.
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:

Consonant blends: bl, st, cr
Digraphs: sh, th, wh
Silent-e words: bike, cake
R-controlled vowels: car, bird
Vowel teams: rain, meat
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:

phonological system
orthographic system

Comprehension uses:

background knowledge
vocabulary
working memory

Best practice:

Early phonics texts → focus on accuracy, fluency, and orthographic mapping
Use read-alouds and shared reading for comprehension

This aligns with Scarborough’s Reading Rope.

The Comprehension Hierarchy (Easiest → Hardest)

Literal Recall — Who? What? Where?
Sequencing — First, next, last
Basic Retelling — Beginning, middle, end
Inferencing — Why did the character do that?
Vocabulary in Context — What does this word mean here?
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:

Struggle productively
Reread texts
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

Turn on closed captioning when watching TV or listening to a book being read aloud online.
Finland consistently has the highest reading scores in the world—they use closed captioning widely.

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