Sight words, also known as high-frequency words, are common words that appear frequently in written texts. These words cannot be easily decoded and need to be recognized instantly by sight. Sight words play a crucial role in reading and literacy development as they often occur in a large number of texts. 

Sight words are typically taught in early childhood education, as they form the foundation for reading fluency and comprehension. By memorizing sight words, young readers can read more smoothly without pausing to decode each word individually.

Examples of sight words include “the,” “and,” “it,” “is,” and “was.” These words are considered sight words because they do not follow regular phonetic patterns and cannot be sounded out.

To help children learn sight words, educators often use various strategies such as flashcards, sight word games, and repeated exposure to these words in different contexts. By practicing sight words regularly, children can build their sight word vocabulary and become more confident readers.

In summary, sight words are high-frequency words that are crucial for reading fluency and comprehension. By recognizing these words instantly, young readers can read more smoothly and understand text better. Educators use various strategies to teach sight words and help children build their sight word vocabulary.