top of page

What is word recognition?

Word recognition refers to a reader's ability to easily recognize a word, on sight, when encountered in text. Reading words, on sight, with little effort, is one characteristic of a fluent reader.

Why is word recognition important?

Some words may have to be decoded when first encountered; however, over time, the reader may recognize those words on sight as a result of frequent exposure and increased proficiency as a reader. Other words, however, do not necessarily follow the "rules" for phonetic spelling. These words (also known as "sight words" or "red words") must be acquired through alternate methods for long-term retention and use! When we use multiple senses to see, hear, and touch as we learn new words, it helps to store those words into our long-term memory.

Teaching Tips:

Shhh! Don’t tell her my secret!

I think it’s wonderful when we can create a learning experience that feels “magical” for our children! She doesn’t know that this is a multisensory technique that will help store this sight word away for long-term memory retention, nor does she need to understand all that. She just thinks there’s magic in her fingertips... and what a way to learn!

© 2019 by Leslie Tally and Tally Tales Literacy, LLC. Proudly created with Wix.com Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this content without express and written permission from this author/owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Leslie Tally and Tally Tales Literacy, LLC with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

bottom of page