What does decoding involve in reading instruction?

Decoding is a fundamental skill in reading instruction that focuses on the ability to break words down into their individual sounds or letters. This process allows young readers to sound out words they encounter, which is crucial for developing reading fluency and comprehension. By understanding the relationship between letters and sounds, children can decode unfamiliar words, which builds their vocabulary and reading confidence over time.

The other choices do not accurately describe decoding. Understanding the meaning of complex texts involves higher-level comprehension skills rather than the mechanical process of decoding. Memorizing sight words refers to recognizing common words without needing to decode them, which supports reading fluency but is distinct from the skill of decoding. Identifying the main idea of a paragraph pertains to a reader's comprehension abilities and analytic skills, which come after mastering the basic skill of decoding.