In the context of literacy teaching, what is the main focus of explicit phonics instruction?

Explicit phonics instruction primarily focuses on teaching students how to blend sounds into words, which is fundamental for developing reading skills. This method emphasizes the systematic and direct teaching of the relationships between letters and sounds, enabling students to decode words effectively.

When students learn to blend phonemes (the smallest units of sound) together, they become proficient in recognizing and pronouncing unfamiliar words, thus improving their reading ability. This foundational skill is crucial for early literacy development as it equips students with tools to tackle new vocabulary and fosters a smoother transition to more complex reading tasks.

While comprehension skills, fluency practice, and vocabulary development are essential components of literacy instruction, they are not the primary focus of explicit phonics instruction. Comprehension deals with understanding the text, fluency refers to the speed and accuracy of reading, and vocabulary development involves learning the meanings of words. These aspects often build upon the foundational skills established through phonics instruction, which is why blending sounds into words is the correct answer.