What Are Sight Words?

The Foundation of Reading

Sight words are high-frequency words that students are expected to recognize instantly without needing to sound them out. They are critical in early literacy because they make up 80-90% of the words children encounter in text, and recognizing them instantly greatly simplifies reading, improving fluency and comprehension. These high-frequency words, such as "the" and "and," enhance reading fluency, comprehension, and confidence. They lay the foundation for more advanced literacy skills, reducing cognitive load, and supporting performance on standardized tests and overall language development. Mastering sight words is essential for building strong reading skills in children.