In teaching reading, what role do high frequency words play?

High frequency words play a critical role in developing reading fluency for early readers. These words appear frequently in written text and often do not follow standard phonetic spelling rules, making them challenging for young learners to decode using phonics alone. By recognizing these words automatically, students can focus more on comprehension rather than getting bogged down by the process of decoding individual words. This automatic recognition contributes significantly to reading speed and smoothness, which are essential components of fluency. When students are fluent readers, they are better able to understand and enjoy the stories and information they read, laying a solid foundation for later literacy skills.