How does frequent reading practice affect reading fluency?

Frequent reading practice significantly enhances reading fluency, primarily through the increase of automaticity and speed. When individuals engage in regular reading, they become more familiar with the structure and patterns of language, which enables them to recognize words and phrases quickly and effortlessly. This automaticity is critical because it allows readers to devote less cognitive effort to decoding words, freeing up mental resources to focus on meaning and comprehension.

As readers practice, they also develop a smoother reading rhythm and pacing, which contributes to overall fluency. Over time, consistent reading can lead to improved speed, meaning that readers can process text at a quicker rate without sacrificing understanding. This is essential for students, as fluent readers are more likely to have better engagement with text and can comprehend more complex materials.

While there are other elements to reading—such as comprehension and focus—the primary benefit of frequent reading practice is the enhancement of fluency through increased speed and automaticity.