What is the primary focus of phonological awareness in reading instruction?

The primary focus of phonological awareness in reading instruction is recognizing sounds and sound patterns. Phonological awareness is a crucial skill that involves the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds (phonemes) in spoken words, as well as recognizing larger sound units like syllables and onsets and rimes. This foundational skill helps learners understand the structure of language, which is essential for developing good reading abilities. By mastering phonological awareness, students can more easily decode words when they encounter them in print, leading to improved reading fluency and comprehension.