How does the Orthographic phase contribute to reading skills?

The Orthographic phase plays a significant role in contributing to reading skills, particularly through the enhancement of decoding skills and fluency. This phase is characterized by the recognition of written words and patterns based on the phonological components—the sounds associated with letters and combinations of letters. When learners transition into the Orthographic phase, they begin to identify words more quickly and accurately, which contributes to a smoother and more fluent reading experience.

In this phase, readers are not just memorizing individual words; they are developing the ability to decode unfamiliar words based on their understanding of orthographic patterns, such as common prefixes, suffixes, and phoneme-grapheme correspondences. This leads to greater automaticity in reading, allowing students to focus more on comprehension rather than getting bogged down by decoding every single word. As a result, the ability to read with fluency increases, making the overall reading process more efficient and enjoyable.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the purpose of the Orthographic phase. While word memorization, reliance on pictures, and a narrow focus solely on spelling skills may have their roles in reading development, they do not capture the broader, essential influence of the Orthographic phase on decoding and fluency in reading.