Phonological awareness refers to an understanding of the sound structure of language- that is, that language is made up of words, syllables, rhymes and sounds. So why is it that phonological awareness is so important?  It is because the understanding of how language works is a foundational skill in learning to read and spell.  If children do not understand that words are made up of individual sounds that can be blended together to make words, then using the alphabet to read and write would make no sense.  In fact, research indicates that phonemic awareness is the best predictor of later reading ability, even more than intelligence, vocabulary or listening comprehension! Understanding the concept of rhyme is the first skill in the hierarchy of phonological