In my reading, I have come to disagree with this approach.
Easy Peasy is correct that adults read mostly using the whole word approach, because we have had thousands of hours of practice and much becomes automatic. Just because the end result is sight reading, it does not logically follow that this is the best way to teach reading in the beginning.
Starting with a strong phonics foundation allows children to make connections across words, that also applies to how they will learn to generalize rules for many other systems of life. While I am not completely against all teaching of sight words, I have never found time spent working on sight word reading to be more profitable than simply reading with a strong phonics foundation.
For most children, they will learn to read when their brains are ready to read, no matter what approach you use. If you suspect any form of dyslexia, a phonics intensive curriculum as early as possible is the best way to overcome the disability.
6 Likes