Which ability is specifically related to recognizing individual sounds in words?

The ability that specifically relates to recognizing individual sounds in words is phonemic awareness. This skill involves the understanding that words are made up of discrete sounds, or phonemes. Phonemic awareness allows individuals to isolate, blend, segment, and manipulate these sounds, which is crucial for developing reading proficiency.

For instance, when a child demonstrates phonemic awareness, they can break down the word 'cat' into its individual sounds /k/, /æ/, and /t/. This foundational skill is essential for children as they learn to decode words and develop their reading abilities, making it a pivotal component of early literacy development.

While syllable awareness involves recognizing larger units of sound (syllables) within words, and segmentation refers to breaking words down into parts, phonemic awareness specifically focuses on the individual sounds themselves. Consonant blend refers to a specific combination of consonants; therefore, it does not encompass the broader recognition of all phonemes.