Phonological awareness is the ability to recognize and manipulate the sound structures of spoken language. It includes skills such as identifying and working with syllables, onsets, and rimes, as well as recognizing rhymes and alliteration. This foundational skill helps children understand how words are formed and how sounds combine to create meaning. Developing phonological awareness is crucial for early literacy. It enables children to decode words when reading and to spell them correctly when writing. Activities like singing songs, playing rhyming games, and clapping out syllables can enhance these skills, making learning both fun and effective.