Studies have shown that explicit phonics instruction in kindergarten and first grade led to improvements in children’s decoding skills and reading comprehension, regardless of their starting ability. This approach isn’t about memorizing words or guessing; it’s rooted in teaching kids how to connect letters and sounds systematically. Research like What the Science Says About How Kids Learn to Read (2020) highlights that structured, evidence-based methods can close literacy gaps early. Knowing this science empowers parents to advocate for effective practices and confidently support their child’s literacy journey.
This blog introduces the key principles of reading science, including the Simple View of Reading and Scarborough’s Reading Rope, offering practical insights that empower you to confidently support your child’s literacy journey.
What is the Science of Reading?
The Science of Reading is an evidence-based approach to literacy that highlights phonics, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary as the key components to strong reading skills. Studies show that beginning in kindergarten, explicit phonics instruction can significantly improve children’s ability to decode words and understand texts. This method offers a clear, research-backed path to reading success, unlike strategies that rely on guesswork or memorization.
The Science of Reading is often misunderstood, so let’s clear up a few misconceptions:
What It Is:
- A research-based approach that emphasizes phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension as essential skills for reading.
- Focuses on teaching students to decode words accurately and understand meaning.
What It Is Not:
- It’s not about guessing words from context or relying solely on memorization.
- It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach but focuses on what the research shows works best for reading development.
So, what does this mean for you as a parent? You might hear “Science of Reading” or wonder how it impacts your child’s progress. Understanding this approach equips you to advocate for effective practices at school and offer meaningful support at home. For example, suppose your child, Jake, can summarize a book you’ve read together but struggles to do the same with a book he read independently. In that case, the Science of Reading offers insights into how to support his development in these areas. Through the frameworks of the Simple View of Reading and Scarborough’s Reading Rope, you’ll gain actionable strategies to improve his reading.
The Simple View of Reading: Decoding Meets Comprehension
The Simple View of Reading, developed by Phil Gough and William Tunmer in 1986, is a proven model for understanding how reading works. This formula emphasizes two essential cognitive abilities: decoding and language comprehension. The model is expressed as:
Decoding (D) x Language Comprehension (LC) = Reading Comprehension (RC)
What does this mean? For a child to read well, they need to master both the ability to recognize words quickly and understand what they mean.
- Decoding (D) refers to word recognition — reading words accurately and quickly. If a child struggles here, they may need more focused phonics instruction.
- Language Comprehension (LC) involves understanding spoken words, vocabulary, grammar, and how to derive meaning from them. This also includes content knowledge across different subjects to improve understanding.
Together, decoding and comprehension form the foundation of reading comprehension. If a child has difficulty reading comprehension, it’s important to look at decoding and language comprehension to target effective intervention.
For example, if a child is good at listening to a story but struggles to decode written words, they likely need more phonics practice. However, if they decode words well but don’t understand the meaning of what they’re reading, they may need support in content knowledge or comprehension strategies. Understanding this model allows you to assess better where your child might be struggling and what type of support they need to become proficient readers.
Scarborough’s Reading Rope: Breaking Down the Skills
Developed by Hollis Scarborough in 2001, Scarborough’s Reading Rope offers a helpful visual for understanding how reading skills come together. Picture a rope of multiple strands—each representing a critical skill necessary for reading. Some strands are related to word recognition, like phonological awareness and decoding. Others are about language comprehension, like background knowledge and vocabulary. As these skills intertwine and strengthen over time, they form a strong “rope” that allows your child to read fluently and understand what they read.
This model highlights that reading isn’t just about recognizing words or understanding sentences—it’s about how both skills work together. If one strand is weaker, it can affect your child’s ability to comprehend text. For example, a child with strong word recognition but poor vocabulary might be able to read the words but struggle to understand the meaning behind them. By recognizing which parts of the rope may need more attention, you can better support your child’s reading development.
Why Parents Care About Reading Science
In addition to supporting your child at home, knowing the Science of Reading allows you to have informed conversations with teachers about your child’s progress. You’ll be equipped to ask the right questions and advocate for evidence-based reading instruction if necessary. For example, if you notice your child struggling with decoding, you can request additional phonics support. This knowledge helps ensure that home and school environments work together to create the best possible literacy experience for your child. For instance:
- If your child struggles with recognizing words, focus on phonics activities like sound-letter matching.
- If comprehension is the issue, expand vocabulary by discussing new words in books you read together.
When parents know the science behind reading, they can help their children build strong skills at home and school, ensuring they’re on the right path to becoming confident, capable readers.
How TutorJack Supports the Science of Reading
At TutorJack, we integrate the Science of Reading into our curriculum by focusing on explicit phonics instruction, similar to the best practices outlined in reading research. Through personalized 1-on-1 tutoring sessions, we ensure students develop decoding skills and language comprehension—key components of the Simple View of Reading. Our unique model allows for mastery learning before progressing, ensuring students build a solid foundation for reading comprehension. With peer learning opportunities, we also harness the social effects of education, reinforcing both phonics and comprehension skills.
Conclusion: Key Takeaways from the Science of Reading
- The Science of Reading is an evidence-based approach emphasizing phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension as foundational elements for reading success.
- The Simple View of Reading shows that decoding and language comprehension are both essential to reading comprehension.
- Scarborough’s Reading Rope visually illustrates how skills like word recognition and language comprehension intertwine to support fluent reading.
- Both frameworks align with the Science of Reading, highlighting that decoding and comprehension skills need to develop together for strong reading ability.
