What does phonological awareness involve?

Phonological awareness is the ability to recognize and manipulate the sound structures of language. This includes understanding that words are composed of various sound units such as syllables, onsets, and rimes, as well as phonemes, which are the smallest units of sound. This skill is crucial for developing reading and spelling abilities, as it lays the foundation for understanding how sounds correspond to letters and letter combinations.

The essence of phonological awareness is in its focus on sound, rather than meaning or structure. Recognizing that words can be broken down into smaller sound units allows learners to decode new words and enhances their overall literacy skills. This understanding is a critical precursor to phonics instruction, where the relationships between sounds and their written representations are taught.