What foundational skill does the alphabetic code include?

The alphabetic code is fundamentally about understanding how letters correspond to sounds, which is central to phonics and decoding. Phonics refers to the relationship between letters and the sounds they represent, enabling learners to sound out words and recognize them in written form. Decoding is the process of translating written symbols (letters and words) into their spoken form. This skill is essential in early literacy development, as it allows children to read unfamiliar words by applying their knowledge of letter-sound relationships.

While spelling and punctuation, vocabulary usage, and fluency in reading are all important components of literacy, they rely on a strong foundation in phonics and decoding. Without the ability to decode words, learners may struggle with spelling, understanding vocabulary in context, or reading fluently. Thus, phonics and decoding are key foundational skills that the alphabetic code encompasses, making them the correct choice in this context.