Topic 1.1:
Why is Phonemic Awareness Important?
Why is Phonemic Awareness Important?
Phonemic awareness is literally ‘sound’ awareness. Phonemic awareness is understanding that words are made up of sounds and being able to hear, recognize and manipulate the individual sounds that make up a word. Phonemic awareness is primarily an auditory skill of distinguishing and recognizing the sound structure of language. For example, phonemic awareness is realizing the word ‘puppy’ is made up of the sounds /p/ /u/ /p/ /ee/ or the word the word ‘shape’ is made up the sounds /sh/ /ay/ /p/.
Many children do not realize that the words they hear break apart into smaller hunks of sound. Hearing the individual sounds within a word is difficult because spoken language is so seamless. When we speak, we naturally and effortlessly blend all the sounds together to say and hear the overall word. The natural ease of seamless speech hides the phonetic nature of our spoken language. For example: The child says and hears the word “puppy” as one seamless word /puppy/ and does not recognize or distinguish the separate sounds /p/ /u/ /p/ /ee/ that make up the word. Phonemic awareness is a very strong indicator of students' reading abilities. Think about it: if you didn't know how to put sounds together, how could you ever form a word? If you can't form words, then how could you ever read them?
Children vary greatly in their natural ability to hear the sounds within words. Some individuals have a definite natural phonological weakness. Research has shown that children with poor phonemic awareness struggle with reading and spelling. The child’s natural phonological abilities are not related to intelligence. In fact, many highly intelligent children have phonological weakness that leads to reading difficulty.
Many children do not realize that the words they hear break apart into smaller hunks of sound. Hearing the individual sounds within a word is difficult because spoken language is so seamless. When we speak, we naturally and effortlessly blend all the sounds together to say and hear the overall word. The natural ease of seamless speech hides the phonetic nature of our spoken language. For example: The child says and hears the word “puppy” as one seamless word /puppy/ and does not recognize or distinguish the separate sounds /p/ /u/ /p/ /ee/ that make up the word. Phonemic awareness is a very strong indicator of students' reading abilities. Think about it: if you didn't know how to put sounds together, how could you ever form a word? If you can't form words, then how could you ever read them?
Children vary greatly in their natural ability to hear the sounds within words. Some individuals have a definite natural phonological weakness. Research has shown that children with poor phonemic awareness struggle with reading and spelling. The child’s natural phonological abilities are not related to intelligence. In fact, many highly intelligent children have phonological weakness that leads to reading difficulty.
Importance of Phonemic Awareness
Phonemic awareness is important because it is critical to reading and spelling success. A child’s phonemic awareness is a powerful predictor of the likelihood of them being able to read and spell words efficiently. Children who cannot distinguish and manipulate the sounds within spoken words have difficulty recognizing and learning the necessary print=sound relationship that is critical to proficient reading and spelling success. If a child has poor phonemic awareness, it is difficult for them to discover the necessary link between print and sound.
Although some children and adults have a definite natural phonological weakness, the good news is that phonemic awareness can be taught and learned. The scientific
evidence proves that phonemic awareness instruction has a significant positive
effect on both reading and spelling. In other words, we can directly teach
children how to hear, recognize and manipulate sounds within words and that the
intentional development of phonemic awareness skills has a positive effect on
reading and spelling success. Targeted phonemic awareness instruction helps
children develop necessary skills.
Please view the video to learn more about the importance of phonemic awareness
Although some children and adults have a definite natural phonological weakness, the good news is that phonemic awareness can be taught and learned. The scientific
evidence proves that phonemic awareness instruction has a significant positive
effect on both reading and spelling. In other words, we can directly teach
children how to hear, recognize and manipulate sounds within words and that the
intentional development of phonemic awareness skills has a positive effect on
reading and spelling success. Targeted phonemic awareness instruction helps
children develop necessary skills.
Please view the video to learn more about the importance of phonemic awareness
Gagen, Miscese. "Phonemic Awareness: What It Is, Why It Is Important and Why You Must Link Phonemic
Awareness to Print!" Right Track Reading. Miscese Gagen, 2006. Web. 19 June 2013.
International Reading Association. "Phonemic Awareness and the Teaching of Reading." International
Reading Association. N.p., 2013. Web. June 2013.
"Phonemic Awareness:The Basics." I Heart Literacy. N.p., 2012-2013. Web. 19 June 2013.
Awareness to Print!" Right Track Reading. Miscese Gagen, 2006. Web. 19 June 2013.
International Reading Association. "Phonemic Awareness and the Teaching of Reading." International
Reading Association. N.p., 2013. Web. June 2013.
"Phonemic Awareness:The Basics." I Heart Literacy. N.p., 2012-2013. Web. 19 June 2013.