Which of the following contributes to a child's ability to decode words effectively?

Familiarity with phonics and letter sounds plays a pivotal role in a child's ability to decode words effectively. Decoding is the process of translating written words into spoken language, which relies heavily on the understanding of how letters and sounds correspond to one another. By being familiar with phonics, children learn how to identify sound patterns, blend sounds together to form words, and eventually read fluently. This foundational skill is crucial for early reading success and is essential for learning new vocabulary.

While other options like understanding complex grammar rules, listening to audiobooks, and engaging in creative writing can support literacy development in various ways, they do not directly enhance the specific skill of word decoding. Complex grammar rules are more related to sentence structure and comprehension rather than the initial process of reading words. Listening to audiobooks can improve listening comprehension and expose children to vocabulary, but it does not directly teach them how to decode on their own. Engaging in creative writing fosters expression and creativity but does not address the mechanics of how to read words aloud.