Phonemic awareness is a subset of phonological awareness in
which listeners are able to hear, identify and manipulate
phonemes, the smallest units of sound that can differentiate
meaning. Separating the spoken word "cat" into three distinct
phonemes, /k/, /æ/, and /t/, requires phonemic awareness. The
National Reading Panel has found that phonemic awareness
improves children's word reading and reading comprehension, as
well as helping children learn to spell. Phonemic awareness is
the basis for learning phonics. Phonemic awareness and
phonological awareness are often confused since they are
interdependent. Phonemic awareness is the ability to hear and
manipulate individual phonemes. Phonological awareness includes
this ability, but it also includes the ability to hear and
manipulate larger units of sound, such as onsets and rimes and
syllables. Studies by Vickie Snider have shown that phonemic
awareness has a direct correlation with students’ ability to
read as they get older. Phonemic awareness builds a foun