What does the term "phonological awareness" encompass?

Phonological awareness refers to the ability to recognize and manipulate the sounds of spoken language. This encompasses a range of skills that include recognizing and working with sounds at the word, syllable, and phoneme levels. For example, a child demonstrating phonological awareness might be able to clap out the number of syllables in a word or identify and produce words that rhyme.

This skill is critical for reading development because it lays the foundation for understanding the relationship between letters and sounds, which is essential for decoding text. In contrast, understanding the meaning of words in isolation pertains to vocabulary development rather than the auditory skills involved in phonological awareness. Utilizing visual aids supports comprehension and engagement, while engaging in silent reading practices focuses on reading fluency and comprehension rather than the auditory manipulation of sounds. Therefore, recognizing and working with sounds across different levels is the key component that defines phonological awareness.