The science of reading is an approach to teaching reading that focuses on the systematic and explicit instruction of the six foundational literacy skills: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and language development. What sets it apart from traditional reading instruction is its reliance on rigorous scientific evidence and a well-established body of knowledge. While other methods may lack a systematic approach and scientific grounding, the science of reading offers evidence-based reading instruction that maximizes its impact in developing strong readers.