What is a key benefit of providing students with explicit, systematic phonics instruction?

Providing students with explicit, systematic phonics instruction is crucial for promoting reading development. This approach helps students understand the relationship between letters and sounds, enabling them to decode new words, recognize familiar ones, and improve their reading fluency. By establishing a solid foundation in phonics, students become more confident readers, which ultimately supports their overall literacy skills. Mastery of phonics is essential for reading comprehension, and it facilitates successful reading experiences both in and out of the classroom.

While the other options might address various areas of education, such as mathematical skills, social interactions, or handwriting, they do not directly relate to the specific benefit of phonics instruction in enhancing reading abilities.