In education, the debate between real books and decodable books has sometimes clouded the purpose of decodable texts. Designed specifically for early readers, these books focus on clear grapheme-phoneme correspondences that children have already learned, helping them blend sounds to form words and sentences. However, some argue that relying only on decodable texts might limit exposure to authentic reading materials and hinder comprehension. But this view doesn’t hold up when examined closely.
A recent study by Professor Dennis Murphy Odo from Pusan National University evaluated the effectiveness of decodable texts in early reading instruction. Published in Literacy in May 2024, the study revealed that while the average effect size for word reading was small (g = 0.20), the effect size for pseudoword decoding was moderate (g = 0.30). This suggests that decodable texts can support word reading and decoding, but they are most effective when used alongside other instructional materials.
Professor Odo notes, “The small to moderate effect size shows that decodable texts can have a meaningful impact on reading skills, especially in decoding challenging words, which is crucial for phonemic awareness and later reading success.”
A Balanced Approach
Decodable texts are an essential tool in a teacher’s toolkit, providing a structured and predictable way to introduce reading skills. However, they shouldn’t be used in isolation. As Professor Odo points out, “Other factors, such as a child’s background and the variety of teaching methods used, can also significantly impact reading development.”
Final Thoughts
We agree with Professor Odo about the power of decodable texts as part of a comprehensive reading strategy. Our decodable readers are designed to engage children while building their skills, featuring guidance for adults to help extend the story and introduce new vocabulary. In the imaginative world of Monster Phonics, children can enjoy reading while developing key phonemic awareness.
We also recognise that decodable texts alone aren’t the complete solution. That’s why we focus on systematic synthetic phonics training for teachers. By combining effective teaching methods with engaging resources like our Monster Phonics materials, we can truly help children thrive on their reading journey.
