Final answer:
Blending phonemes helps students use knowledge of letter-sound correspondence to decode words.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ability to blend phonemes orally contributes to reading development primarily because it helps students use knowledge of letter-sound correspondence to decode words.
Understanding the relationship between sounds and letters is crucial for decoding unfamiliar words while reading. By blending phonemes together, students can figure out how to pronounce and read words.
For example, if a student hears the sounds /k/ /a/ /t/, they can blend these phonemes together to form the word 'cat'. This ability enables them to read words accurately and fluently, improving their overall reading skills.