What does the term alphabetic principle refer to?

The alphabetic principle is fundamentally the understanding that letters and combinations of letters represent the individual sounds of spoken language. This concept is essential for reading and writing, as it underpins the way that phonemes (the smallest units of sound) are linked to graphemes (the letters or letter groups that represent those sounds).

When children grasp the alphabetic principle, they learn how to decode written words by recognizing the sounds associated with each letter or group of letters. This knowledge supports their development in reading, enabling them to sound out words, spell, and comprehend text. By mastering this principle, learners can transition from simply recognizing letters to reading and writing fluently.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of the alphabetic principle. For instance, while writing letters is a related skill, it does not encompass the broader concept of sound-letter correspondence. Reading directionality (left to right) and memorizing words also play roles in literacy but do not define the foundational understanding that letters correlate to sounds.