How does fluency impact reading comprehension?

Fluency plays a crucial role in reading comprehension by allowing readers to engage with the text more meaningfully. When readers achieve fluency, they can recognize words quickly and accurately, which frees up cognitive resources that would otherwise be spent on decoding individual words. This ease of word recognition enables readers to concentrate on understanding the overall message and ideas within the text rather than being bogged down by the mechanics of reading.

For instance, fluent readers are more likely to grasp themes, infer meanings, and connect ideas across sentences and paragraphs because their focus shifts from simply decoding words to comprehending and interpreting the text as a whole. Consequently, fluency serves as a foundational skill that supports higher-level comprehension processes, enhancing the reading experience and promoting a deeper understanding of the material.