Question

What is the difference between phonological awareness and phonics? Provide examples. Why is it important for educators to know/understand the difference between the two?

​

Answer 1

Phonics and phonological awareness are part of early reading. While these terms are related, they do not mean the same. Phonics involves the relationship between sounds and written symbols, whereas phonological awareness involves sounds in spoken words. Therefore, phonics instruction focuses on teaching sound-spelling relationships and is associated with print. Most phonological awareness tasks are oral.

Phonological awareness is the foundation for learning to read. Phonological awareness enables children to hear and “play” with the sounds of spoken language. It is not based on written language. This skill is developed by listening.

The phonological awareness begins at the level of words and syllables. With the awareness of phonological skill, the child is able to recognize and come up with words that rhyme or that have the same beginning sound. Once kids have a strong awareness of how spoken language works at the level of words and syllables, they can begin to focus on the smaller units of sound known as phonemic awareness.

Phonics is a method for teaching reading and writing in the English language by developing learners' phonemic awareness. Phonics instruction teaches kids to connect letters with sounds. This knowledge enables kids to read and write.This training starts in Schools from kindergarten through second grade. The most effective phonics programs follow a clear, step-by-step order of instruction. Students are told, for example, that the letter t stands for the m sound as in tea.