Which of the following best describes why phonological awareness is predictive of beginning reading success?
A. It is an auditory skill in which understanding of letter-sound relationships is developed. Correct
B. It is a visual skill in which letter recognition skills are developed.
C. It is a speaking skill in which oral production of letter sounds is developed.
D. It is a fine motor skill in which letter formation skills are developed.
Rationale: Phonological awareness is primarily an auditory skill that involves recognizing and manipulating sounds in spoken language, which is crucial for developing letter-sound relationships essential for reading. Understanding these relationships allows children to decode words effectively.
Option B incorrectly identifies phonological awareness as a visual skill; while letter recognition is important, it is not the focus of phonological awareness.
Option C mischaracterizes phonological awareness as a speaking skill, when it primarily involves listening and sound manipulation rather than oral production.
Option D mistakenly classifies it as a fine motor skill; phonological awareness does not involve physical writing or letter formation, but rather auditory processing.
