What is the main focus of high frequency words in early literacy?

The primary focus of high frequency words in early literacy is to aid emergent readers in recognizing commonly used words. High frequency words are those that appear often in written texts, and their recognition is essential for developing reading fluency. By being able to quickly identify these words, children can read more smoothly and with greater comprehension, as they spend less time decoding each individual word.

This approach builds a foundation for reading by allowing children to focus on understanding the overall meaning of sentences and texts rather than getting bogged down by unfamiliar vocabulary. Recognizing high frequency words enables students to engage more fully with texts, which in turn fosters their overall literacy development.

In contrast, options that prioritize creative writing skills, complex vocabulary enhancement, or minimizing phonics do not align with the primary objective of high frequency words, which is rooted in immediate recognition and fluency that supports reading comprehension at an early age.