Which statement about the development of phonemic awareness is supported by research?

• A. Phonemic awareness is an early predictor of future reading success
• B. It is not essential for learning to read
• C. It develops only after decoding
• D. It has no relation to later reading performance

Answer: (A)

Phonemic awareness is the ability to hear and manipulate the individual sounds in spoken words. Research shows this skill in preschool and early kindergarten predicts later reading success, especially in decoding and word recognition. Children who can blend and segment phonemes tend to learn letter–sound relationships more easily, which supports decoding and spelling as they begin reading instruction. This predictive link remains even when accounting for other factors like vocabulary and general language ability, underscoring its role as a foundation for reading development. It develops before formal reading and is reinforced by explicit phonics instruction, rather than being a later or incidental skill.