Phonological Awareness: A Key Skill for Pre-School Literacy
Keywords:
phonological awareness, early literacy, preschool education, phonemic skills, reading developmentAbstract
Phonological awareness is a critical component of early literacy development, laying the groundwork for successful reading and writing. This article examines its role in preschool education, focusing on children’s ability to identify and manipulate the sound structures of language, including words, syllables, rhymes, and phonemes. Research consistently shows that phonological awareness is a strong predictor of future literacy achievement, supporting decoding, spelling, and vocabulary growth. Early exposure to sound-based activities enhances children’s reading fluency and comprehension. Practical strategies, such as rhyming games, syllable clapping, and phoneme manipulation, can effectively strengthen these skills in early years settings. Both educators and parents play vital roles in nurturing phonological awareness through intentional, play-based learning and meaningful language interactions. Integrating these practices into preschool curricula can significantly reduce the risk of later reading difficulties and promote long-term academic success. This paper highlights the importance of early intervention and provides evidence-informed recommendations for fostering phonological awareness in young learners.
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