Research in reading has found that there are many factors contributing to success in learning to read. One of these factors is a skill called phonological awareness.

What is phonological awareness?  Phonological awareness is refers to the ability to detect and manipulate the sounds of ones language. The phonological awareness skill significantly related to reading in first grade is called phonemic awareness – detecting and working with individual sounds in words. A child learning to read needs to grasp the idea that words are made of sounds and be able to work with the individual sounds.

Children with good phonological awareness skills have an easier time learning to read. Children with weak phonological awareness have a more difficult time. Research has shown that teaching phonological awareness helps children learn to read. If you have a beginning reader or a struggling reader be sure to moniotr their growth and development in this area and when needed provide additional instruction.

Phonological awareness may not be easy or natural for some children. There is a sequence from less complex to more complex. Begin at your child’s level and then provide activities and practice so your child can master each step.

Keep in mind that phonics is not the same as phonological awareness –  phonics involves written letters and memorization while phonological awareness involves spoken sounds without reference to the letters and memorization is not needed. It is important not to confuse the two. See our reading support program on Phonological awareness for further explanation.