What are the phases included in the phase theory of reading?

The phases included in the phase theory of reading are accurately represented by the pre-alphabetic, partial alphabetic, full alphabetic, and consolidated alphabetic stages. This framework outlines the developmental progression of reading skills among learners, particularly children.

In the pre-alphabetic phase, readers begin to recognize visual features of words without understanding the phonetic component, relying instead on context and visual cues. As they move into the partial alphabetic phase, they start to incorporate some phonetic understanding, connecting sounds to letters, but their skills are still limited. The full alphabetic phase signifies a more robust awareness of the alphabetic principle, where readers can decode words proficiently using their knowledge of letter-sound relationships. Finally, the consolidated alphabetic phase is where readers apply more complex strategies, utilizing larger chunks of text and patterns, leading to increased fluency and comprehension.

This phase theory effectively captures the incremental nature of literacy development in early readers and highlights the cognitive processes involved at each stage.