Vowel teams, including diphthongs (like “ai” in “rain” or “ou” in “cloud”), are a vital step in reading development because they help students decode more advanced words. These letter combinations represent specific sounds and appear frequently in the English language. Mastering vowel teams allows children to read a wider range of words, improving both decoding skills and reading fluency. Understanding these patterns builds a stronger foundation for spelling, vocabulary, and overall reading comprehension, helping students progress beyond simple words and tackle more complex texts.