What is Phonological/Phonemic Awareness?
Phonological Awareness forms the basis of phonics. Phonics is the understanding that sounds and print letters are connected; this is the first step towards “reading.”
Phonemic Awareness is the specific ability to focus on and manipulate individual sounds in spoken words. Phonemes are the smallest units of spoken language ~ there are 44 phonemes or sounds. Phonemic Awareness is the foundation for spelling and word recognition skills. It is one of the best predictors of how well a child will learn to read the words!
Good Phonological/Phonemic Awareness means that the child can:
- blend sounds in words
- complete phoneme substitution activities
- count syllables
- rhyme
- spell by sound
- demonstrate understanding of individual sounds in words by using “chips” to represent each sound heard
- play word and sound games
What is Phonics?
Phonics is the ability to apply the knowledge of letter-sound relationships, including knowledge of letter patterns and correct pronunciation of written words. This helps with decoding. Decoding allows children to recognize words quickly as well as figure out unfamiliar words. Some children figure out these relationships on their own, and others need phonics instruction. Phonics is an essential part of reading and spelling. We all use our phonics skills when we come to words we do not know.