What role do printed letters play in learning to read?

Printed letters serve as visual representations of sounds, which is crucial in the process of learning to read. This concept is foundational to phonics, where learners connect certain letters or groups of letters with their corresponding sounds. For example, the letter "b" represents the /b/ sound, and when combined with other letters, it helps form words that readers can decode. This association aids in the development of phonemic awareness, which is the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds in words, an essential skill for reading fluency.

Understanding the relationship between printed letters and sounds allows beginning readers to translate written symbols into oral language, facilitating the overall reading process. This understanding helps them decode new words independently, enhancing their reading skills and confidence. Therefore, printed letters play a vital role in reading development by linking the visual aspect of written language to its phonetic structure.