This section deals with the definition and components of phonological awareness (PA). It shows how sensitivity to sounds and sound patterns act as a booster for children learning to read.

It breaks phonological awareness down to its component parts – namely, syllables, onsets, rimes and phonemes – and provides a diagram to illustrate these concepts.

It also refers to phonemic awareness being a vital piece of the reading puzzle as well as being a great predictor of later reading success. Of course,  talking and reading to children is a good way of setting up their sensitivity to the sounds of the language, but these actions do not actually teach reading.

• Phonological Awareness RFLO PDF
• David Kilpatrick’s Phonological Awareness Test

What are some of the experiences you’ve had with low phonological awareness in students? Does your system screen for this?