What do vowel digraphs represent?

Vowel digraphs are a specific element in phonics where two letters combine to create one unique vowel sound. This is common in English and involves pairs of vowels, such as 'ai' in "rain," where the two letters together produce a single sound rather than each letter maintaining its individual sound. This concept is critical for understanding how words are constructed in terms of phonetic spelling and pronunciation, enabling students to decode words more effectively as they read. Recognizing vowel digraphs helps learners develop their reading skills by connecting written letters to the sounds they represent in spoken language.