New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE) Early Childhood Practice Test

In instructional phonics, what role do digraphs play?

1. They help in the identification of vowel sounds

2. They support the blending of initial consonants

3. They represent two-letter combinations that result in a single sound

4. They function primarily in the division of syllables

The correct answer is: They represent two-letter combinations that result in a single sound

Digraphs play a significant role in phonics instruction as they are two-letter combinations that create a single sound. This means that when a digraph is encountered, it is pronounced as one unit rather than as two distinct sounds. For example, in the digraph "sh," the letters 's' and 'h' together produce the sound /ʃ/, which is different from simply pronouncing each letter separately. Understanding digraphs is crucial for developing reading skills, as they help learners decode words more effectively by recognizing that certain letter pairs work together to produce unique sounds. By knowing how digraphs function, children can improve their phonemic awareness and reading fluency. This understanding allows them to approach unfamiliar words with more confidence, as they can identify these sound combinations rather than grappling with each letter in isolation. Other roles mentioned in the options, such as identifying vowel sounds or blending initial consonants, do not accurately encapsulate the fundamental nature of digraphs, which is their function as pairs creating single phonetic sounds. Additionally, while syllable division is an important concept in phonics, digraphs do not serve primarily in that capacity. Instead, their primary role is to combine letters to form new sounds, making