* Decoding: Breaking down words into their component parts (phonemes) to understand their pronunciation and meaning. This is especially crucial in early reading development.
* Word recognition: Quickly and accurately identifying words, minimizing the need to sound them out each time.
* Vocabulary: Understanding the meaning of individual words and their nuances.
* Fluency: Reading smoothly and accurately, with appropriate pacing and expression.
* Comprehension: Understanding the meaning of the text as a whole, including the main idea, supporting details, inferences, and author's purpose.
* Critical thinking: Analyzing the text, evaluating its arguments, and forming one's own interpretations and opinions.
* Interpretation: Understanding the author's intended message and underlying meanings.
Reading is not simply recognizing words; it's an active process of constructing meaning and engaging with the text. It involves interaction between the reader and the text, shaped by the reader's prior experiences, knowledge, and motivations.