What characterizes sight words?

Sight words are primarily characterized as irregular or high-frequency words that children need to recognize instantly without needing to decode them phonetically. These words often do not conform to standard phonetic rules, making them more challenging to sound out, which is why learning to recognize them by sight is crucial for developing reading fluency. High-frequency sight words appear frequently in texts, and being able to quickly recognize these words helps students improve their reading pace and comprehension.

Other characteristics of sight words, like high-frequency usage and lack of adherence to phonetic rules, support the need for children to memorize them so they can read smoothly. In contrast, options that focus on spelling correctness, the ability to be sounded out phonetically, or being the first words learned do not capture the essential nature of what makes a word a sight word. Understanding this distinction helps educators prioritize appropriate instruction strategies in early literacy development.