3. What do readers need to know in order to decode?

• Readers need to have some concepts about print in place so that they know what to expect from written text. These concepts concern the rules and conventions of written text.

• As they decode, readers draw on knowledge that includes:
  • the names of the letters of the alphabet, along with the sounds that each letter makes; and
  • an understanding of the relationships between letters (graphemes) and sounds (phonemes)

• Fluent readers are also able to recognise words automatically without needing to decode them by sounding them out. These words are called “sight words”.

Next 4. Concepts about print