Research shows two main theories of reading instruction- phonics and whole language. As a fundamental approach, phonics instruction focuses on building reading skills by teaching children the sounds letters make. With this knowledge, children can then piece individual letters together to form familiar spoken words.

The whole language, on the other hand, emphasizes the meaning of what children read instead of the sounds that make up words. This theory of reading encourages one to combine speaking, listening, and writing to figure out the words in a text.

Most educators and parents are faced with the challenge of choosing the appropriate way to teach children this essential skill. Most experts say the best way children learn to read is when they can identify letters or combinations of letters and connect those letters to sounds. Phonemic awareness means understanding sounds in spoken words. Thus, knowledge of phonics and phonemic awareness form the basics of good reading.

While admitting the importance of phonics in reading, experts say teaching children how to read should include more than phonics. Timothy Shanahan, a professor emeritus at the University of Illinois and an expert on reading instruction, notes that children in kindergarten and first grade should also be exposed to oral reading, reading comprehension as well as writing.

Also, some experts prescribe that educators teach children to sound out words they read. This, they say, is to ensure that children do not just guess an unfamiliar word by looking at a picture. Avoiding reliance on visual cues can further support fluent reading.

Learning phonics helps children to read. However, a recent study shows that the intense focus on phonics in most English school systems may not be helpful for every child. Children who are unable to master phonics are more likely to struggle with reading. It is for this reason that some experts prefer explicit instruction in phonics. This method allows teachers to lead students through specific sequences of letters and sounds.

Experts like Wiley Blevins, an author, and expert on phonics, therefore advise that equal amounts of time should be spent building children's vocabulary and content knowledge, aside from teaching phonics- as all of these skills work hand-in-hand to improve upon the art of reading among children.

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Information from the BBC, www.usnews.com.cdn, www.psychologytoday.com, www.phonicshero.com, www.hechingerreport.org was used in this story