A Primer on Phonemic Awareness: What It Is, Why It's Important, and How to Teach It

Abstract

This article defines and describes phonemic awareness, summarizes the research regarding its importance for success in reading, and reviews the literature on teaching phonemic awareness. A synthesis of this research suggests that effective instruction in phonemic awareness needs to be directly and systematically taught in order to ameliorate reading disabilities among at-risk youngsters. A scope and sequence for teaching phonemic awareness is suggested and specific activities are described. Explicit instruction, as part of a prereferral intervention, may help to reduce the number of referrals for learning disabilities in the primary grades.

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Notes on contributors

Vicki E. Snider

Vicki E. Snider, PhD, is an Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Program in Learning Disabilities at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Her primary interests are related to effective instruction for low-performing students.