Blends (like “br,” “cl,” or “st”) are an important step in reading development because they help students decode more complex words. By blending two or more consonant sounds together, children learn to recognize and pronounce longer words with greater ease. Mastering blends builds on earlier phonics skills and supports reading fluency. It enables students to tackle more challenging words, increasing their confidence and helping them become more skilled readers. Understanding blends is key to advancing from basic CVC words to more complex reading tasks.