What does fluency in reading primarily focus on?

Fluency in reading primarily emphasizes accurate and smooth word recognition. This includes the ability to read text quickly and effortlessly, which fosters a more natural flow in reading. When a reader can recognize words accurately and swiftly, it allows for better focus on the meaning of the text, rather than on deciphering each individual word.

While comprehension of complex texts, vocabulary building, and phonetic spelling are important components of reading and literacy development, they are not the primary focus of fluency. Fluency serves as a bridge to higher-level skills such as comprehension; without the ability to read fluently, it becomes challenging to fully understand and engage with complex materials. Thus, the essence of fluency lies in the ease and speed of word recognition, which ultimately supports overall reading proficiency.