Why is Phonemic Awareness important?

Research says:

• The ability to hear and manipulate phonemes plays a causal role in the acquisition of beginning reading skills.
• There is considerable evidence that the primary difference between good and poor readers lies in the good reader's phonological processing ability.
• The effects of training phonological awareness and learning to read are mutually supportive.
• Phonological awareness is teachable and promoted by attention to instructional variables.

The Report of the National Reading Panel (see References) Purpose: To conduct an evidence-based assessment of the scientific research on reading. 14 member panel of researchers Commissioned by U.S. Congress (1997) Extends National Research Council on Preventing Reading Difficulties Click here to link to the report. Topics of Focus Does phonemic awareness instruction improve reading? YES, YES, YES! Phonemic awareness is absolutely important. It is best taught in Kindergarten and First Grade. Children need to be taught to listen to the sounds of language because what we say is not what children see in print. Teaching children to manipulate phonemes in words is highly effective under a variety of teaching conditions with a variety of learners across a range of grade and age levels.