Why are fluency and automaticity important for comprehension?

Fluency and automaticity play a crucial role in reading comprehension because they allow the reader to focus their cognitive resources on understanding the text rather than struggling with decoding individual words. When readers are fluent, they can read at an appropriate pace with expression and comprehension, allowing them to connect with the text on a deeper level. This connection facilitates the integration of ideas, themes, and meanings within the text, leading to a more enriched reading experience.

By having automaticity, readers become quicker and more efficient at recognizing words, which helps decrease the cognitive load involved in the mechanical aspects of reading. This enables them to devote more mental energy to interpreting and analyzing the content, ultimately enhancing their overall understanding of the material. Consequently, fluency and automaticity are foundational skills that foster a stronger grasp of meaning, making them essential for comprehension.