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Reading is a complex, multifaceted, cognitive process that begins with learning letters and sounds and builds toward understanding full sentences and stories. In early reading, children learn the alphabetic code (how letters map to sounds) and develop phonemic awareness (the ability to hear and manipulate sounds). As they progress, they build vocabulary and knowledge of sentence structure, and practice reading to gain fluency (accuracy + speed) so that word recognition becomes automatic. 

Through lots of practice, and the automaticity of decoding, skilled readers shift basic skills into subconscious memory, freeing working memory for higher order thinking skills such as comprehension, inference and analysis of text. 

Strong reading skills support vocabulary growth, general knowledge and learning across all subjects. Reading proficiency in early grades predicts later academic success.