The Power of Explicit Reading Instruction: Why Some Skills Need to Be Taught

For many children, learning to read can seem like a natural process, but for others, mastering the skills necessary for reading fluency can be challenging. One key approach that can make a significant difference is explicit reading instruction, which involves teaching children specific strategies to help them decode words, recognize patterns, and comprehend text. While some children may develop these skills more intuitively, others need direct and structured guidance. Let’s explore why explicit reading instruction is so beneficial and how it can make the learning process smoother for struggling readers.

1. Decoding Words: Not an Automatic Skill for All Children

One of the foundational skills in reading is decoding, or the ability to translate written text into spoken words. For some children, this process comes naturally as they begin to recognize common patterns in words. However, for many, decoding is not an automatic skill and must be taught explicitly.

Take, for example, the repetition of words on a page. When a word appears more than once in a text, some children instinctively recognize it the second time and no longer need to sound it out. For other children, though, they may attempt to decode the word from scratch each time they encounter it. This can slow down their reading and make it more frustrating. Explicitly teaching children that words repeat on a page and showing them how to recognize those repetitions can help them read more efficiently.

2. Building Automaticity: Why Repetition Matters

Repetition in text serves as an important tool for teaching children to recognize words quickly and with ease. As children encounter the same word over and over, they gradually stop needing to decode it and can read it on sight—this is known as building automaticity. Automaticity is crucial for reading fluency because when children can instantly recognize a word, they free up mental energy to focus on comprehension.

Explicit instruction can guide children in developing automaticity by pointing out repeating words in a text and encouraging them to recognize the word instead of decoding it each time. This is especially helpful for high-frequency sight words like "the," "and," and "is." Sight words often don’t follow phonetic rules, so teaching children to memorize these words by sight can greatly enhance their reading speed and confidence.

3. Explicit Instruction in Word Patterns and Phonics

Many children benefit from having phonics and word patterns explicitly pointed out to them. For instance, understanding that certain letter combinations (like “th” or “ch”) create specific sounds can make a huge difference in decoding unfamiliar words. Children who are taught to recognize these patterns are better equipped to approach new words with confidence.

Without explicit instruction, children may not pick up on these patterns naturally, leaving them to struggle with decoding each word in isolation. Structured phonics lessons, where children are directly taught the relationship between letters and sounds, are a critical part of explicit reading instruction and can be the key to unlocking reading fluency for many learners.

4. Teaching Comprehension Strategies Explicitly

Decoding is only one part of the reading process—understanding what the words mean and how they fit together to convey a story or message is the ultimate goal. For some children, comprehension skills also need to be taught explicitly.

For example, a child may read a sentence without fully grasping its meaning. Explicitly teaching them to stop and ask themselves questions like, “What is this sentence about?” or “Does that make sense?” can guide them toward better comprehension. Additionally, strategies like summarizing the main idea, making predictions, and identifying key details should be taught clearly and consistently, as these are not always skills that children will develop on their own.

5. Why Explicit Instruction Works for Struggling Readers

For children who struggle with reading, explicit instruction is not just helpful—it’s essential. These children often need more than just exposure to books; they require step-by-step guidance on how to approach reading tasks. Without this kind of instruction, they may feel overwhelmed or discouraged, especially if they see their peers progressing more quickly.

Explicit reading instruction provides a clear roadmap for these learners. By breaking reading down into manageable components—decoding, recognizing patterns, building fluency, and comprehending the text—children are better able to tackle reading one step at a time. This approach builds their confidence, empowers them with strategies, and helps them achieve success in a way that feels attainable.

6. The Role of Parents and Educators in Explicit Instruction

Parents and teachers can play a crucial role in providing explicit reading instruction. At home, parents can help their children by pointing out patterns in the books they read together. For example, if a particular word appears repeatedly in a story, parents can ask their child to find the word on the page and read it aloud without sounding it out. Over time, this helps children learn to recognize words by sight.

For educators, incorporating explicit instruction into daily lessons is vital. This can be done through direct phonics instruction, guided reading sessions where children practice decoding and recognizing words, and activities that reinforce word patterns and sight words. Teaching strategies for comprehension, like summarizing and predicting, also helps children become more independent readers.

7. The Long-Term Impact of Explicit Reading Instruction

When children receive explicit instruction in reading, the impact can be profound. Not only do they develop stronger decoding and comprehension skills, but they also gain a greater love for reading because they feel more successful. Children who struggle with reading are often those who dislike it the most, but with the right guidance, they can overcome their challenges and discover the joy of getting lost in a book.

Moreover, reading is foundational to nearly every other area of learning. When children develop strong reading skills early on, they are better prepared for academic success across all subjects. Reading fluently allows them to engage with more complex material in science, history, and math, setting them up for a lifetime of learning.

Conclusion: Unlocking the Power of Reading Through Explicit Instruction

Reading is a complex skill that requires a combination of decoding, recognizing patterns, and comprehension. For many children, these skills don’t come naturally, but with explicit instruction, they can be taught in a structured and supportive way. By breaking down the reading process and teaching each component step by step, we can give every child the tools they need to succeed, building not only better readers but more confident learners. Whether at home or in the classroom, the power of explicit reading instruction is undeniable in helping children unlock their full potential.