What does phonological awareness generally refer to?

Phonological awareness refers specifically to the ability to recognize and manipulate the sounds in spoken language. This includes skills such as identifying and producing rhymes, counting syllables, and blending or segmenting sounds within words. Developing phonological awareness is a critical precursor to reading because it allows individuals to make connections between sounds and the corresponding letters they represent in written language. By focusing on the manipulation of sounds, learners enhance their ability to decode words, ultimately improving their literacy skills. The other options pertain to different aspects of language, such as grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension, which are important but fall outside the specific definition of phonological awareness.