What type of tasks does phonological awareness involve?

Phonological awareness encompasses a variety of tasks that analyze the sound structure of language. This includes recognizing and manipulating sounds at different levels, such as the ability to identify and produce rhymes, clap out syllables, and recognize phonemes—the smallest units of sound. This skill is crucial for developing reading and writing abilities, as it lays the foundation for decoding and encoding words in literacy.

Phonological awareness is not limited to written or reading tasks, nor is it restricted to just spoken tasks. Instead, it includes both auditory and oral language activities that focus on how sounds function within language. By engaging in these diverse tasks, students enhance their ability to hear, identify, and work with the sounds in spoken words, which is key to their literacy development.