What is phonological awareness?

Phonological awareness refers to the ability to recognize and manipulate sounds in spoken language. It encompasses a range of skills, including identifying individual sounds (phonemes), recognizing the structure of words (syllables), and understanding the rhythm and rhyme of language. Phonological awareness is essential for developing reading skills, as it lays the foundational understanding that allows children to connect sounds to letters and develop decoding skills.

This skill is crucial because it enables early learners to make sense of the phonetic structures that underpin written language, which is essential for reading fluency and comprehension. By being able to discern and manipulate sounds, students become more adept at recognizing words, which in turn supports their overall reading development.