Which decoding strategy supports the orthographic mapping process?

Utilizing syllabication knowledge to break long words into parts and then blend these parts together is an effective decoding strategy that supports the orthographic mapping process. Orthographic mapping refers to the way in which individuals learn to recognize written words by connecting the sounds of the words to their spellings. By breaking words into syllables, learners can more easily understand the individual phonemes and graphemes that constitute the word. This process helps facilitate reading fluency and comprehension as it enables students to build a mental model of how words are formed and pronounced.

This blending of syllables after breaking them down allows for a smoother transition between decoding and recognition, which is essential for developing literacy skills, especially for those with dyslexia who may struggle with more conventional phonetic approaches. Effective orthographic mapping leads to improved word recognition, spelling, and overall reading skills, making it a foundational technique in literacy education for individuals with reading challenges.