What is meant by phonological awareness?

Phonological awareness refers to the understanding that language is made up of sounds. This skill encompasses the ability to recognize and manipulate sounds at various levels, including phonemes (individual sounds), syllables, and onset-rime (the initial consonant sound and the following vowel and consonants). Phonological awareness is crucial for developing reading skills because it helps learners connect the sounds of spoken language with their corresponding letters and words.

Recognizing words in written form focuses more on the visual aspect of reading rather than the sound structure, which is not the definition of phonological awareness. Identifying grammatical structures pertains to understanding the rules and constructs that form sentences, which is separate from sound processing skills. Comprehending the meaning of words relates to vocabulary development and semantic understanding, distinct from the sound awareness that phonological awareness embodies.

By developing phonological awareness, students can improve their ability to decode and spell words, ultimately enhancing their overall reading proficiency.