What is phonemic awareness?

Phonemic awareness refers specifically to a child's ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds (phonemes) in spoken words. This skill is fundamental for developing reading and writing abilities, as it allows children to understand how sounds combine to form words, which in turn supports their decoding and encoding skills in literacy.

This concept is distinct from other language skills, such as writing coherently, understanding grammar, or reading comprehension. Writing coherently focuses on organizing thoughts and expressing ideas clearly in written form, while grammar involves the rules that govern sentence structure and word usage. Reading comprehension is about understanding and interpreting the meaning of written text. Phonemic awareness, however, is specifically centered on sound awareness in spoken language, making it a critical precursor to reading success.