FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

Which skill is considered a critical first step in learning to read?

1. Mathematical reasoning

2. Phonological awareness

3. Writing fluency

4. Vocabulary acquisition

The correct answer is: Phonological awareness

Phonological awareness is a fundamental skill that children need to develop in order to learn to read effectively. It involves the ability to recognize and manipulate the sounds in spoken language. This includes skills such as hearing and identifying individual sounds (phonemes), recognizing syllables, and understanding the rhymes in language. By developing phonological awareness, children learn how to break down words into their constituent sounds, which is crucial for decoding words while reading. When they can hear the sounds in words, they can connect these sounds to the letters that represent them, making the process of reading smoother and more intuitive. Without a solid foundation in phonological awareness, students might struggle with decoding and will face challenges in reading comprehension. Thus, this skill sets the groundwork for all future reading success, making it an essential first step in the literacy journey.