Phonological Awareness

Understanding Key "Phon" Terms in Reading Instruction

1. Phonological Awareness

• Definition: An umbrella term encompassing various skills related to the sound structure of language.

• Included Skills:

  • Words in sentences

  • Syllables

  • Onset Rime

  • Rhyme/Alteration

  • Isolation

• Phonemic Awareness: A subset focused specifically on the ability to manipulate individual phonemes in spoken words.

2. Phonics

• Definition: An instructional approach aimed at helping children learn the relationship between sounds and written symbols (alphabetic principle).

• Focus: Teaching sound-spelling relationships and associated print.

3. Key Differences Between Phonics and Phonemic Awareness

• Phonics focuses on sounds linked to written symbols.

• Phonemic awareness concentrates on the sounds themselves in spoken words.

4. Instructional Implications

• Importance of "speech before print": children must develop oral skills before written skills.

• Proficiency in phonemic awareness is necessary for success in phonics.

• Oral language is a predictor of both reading fluency and comprehension.