NDE1068: The Science of Reading Pathway: Phonics Microcredential (Early Childhood and Elementary Teachers, Licensed Personnel)

Phonics is the study of the systematic relationship between the sounds we hear in words (phonemes) and the letters that spell them (graphemes). Understanding the relationship between letters and sounds allows children to recognize that words are made up of individual sounds and those sounds are represented by letters. This leads to eventual recognition of familiar words and the ability to figure out unfamiliar ones. Research shows that weak phonics skills in early grades are strong predictors of long-term reading difficulties. In contrast, students who develop an understanding of phonics skills early are more likely to become proficient readers. This early success enables them to read widely, encounter new vocabulary, deepen their overall knowledge, and create a positive cycle of literacy development. This microcredential focuses on phonics as an essential component of the reading process.