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Phonological (Sound) Awareness Development Chart

Phonological Awareness is the understanding of how sounds combine to form words.

Note: Each stage builds on earlier ones.

How to use this chart: Review skills up to the child’s age. If earlier skills are missing, contact us.

Age

Developmental Milestones

Potential impacts of missed milestones

0 - 2 years

  • ⦿ No specific milestones are identified
  • ⦿ None are observed

2 - 3 years

  • ⦿ Rhyme awareness is developed at 24-30 months
  • ⦿ None are noted

3 - 4 years

  • ⦿ Rhyme production ability emerges at 30-36 months
  • ⦿ Similarities in letter patterns may be difficult to recognize (e.g at, ap, it words)

4 - 5 years

  • ⦿ Syllables in words are clapped/counted (e.g. computer- com-pu-ter). [Note: Achieved by 50% of children by age 4]
    ⦿ Words with the same beginning sound are recognized/produced (e.g. cat - cup)
    ⦿ Words are segmented/blended by onset/rime (e.g. s+un= sun)
    ⦿ Sounds in words are counted (e.g. dog- d-o-g = 3 sounds). [Note: Achieved by 50% of children by age 5]
  • ⦿ Longer words may be spelled inaccurately due to inability to chunk them
    ⦿ Articulation of longer words and pattern recognition may be difficult
    ⦿ Accurate word spelling may be challenging

5 - 6 years

  • ⦿ Rhyming words are recognized and odd ones identified (e.g. dig, run, fun)
    ⦿ The first sound in words is identified (e.g. 'c' in 'cat')
    ⦿ The last sound in words is identified (e.g. '+' in 'cat')
    ⦿ Words starting with the same sound are listed (e.g. man, mop)
    ⦿ The different word among three is told (e.g. jug, mug, jug)
    ⦿ 3-4 sounds are blended to make words (e.g. s-a-n-d = sand)
    ⦿ Sounds in 3-4 sound words are segmented (e.g. sand= s-a-n-d:4 sounds)
  • ⦿ Correct spelling may be difficult if sounds in different positions aren't heard
    ⦿ Recognition that joined sounds create whole words may be challenging

6 - 7 years

  • ⦿ Syllables are deleted from words
    ⦿ Syllables in words are substituted
    ⦿ Sounds are deleted from words (e.g. 'ear' from 'dear')
    ⦿ Sounds in words are substituted (e.g. 'bat' from 'cat')
  • ⦿ Similar letter/sound patterns may be unrecognizable if sound manipulation is difficult
    ⦿ Visual word representation may be hard to create and maintain during sound changes

7 - 8 years

  • ⦿ Phonological awareness skills are used when spelling
  • ⦿ Words may be spelled incorrectly
    ⦿ Accurate and fluent reading may be challenging

This chart provides a functional screening of age-based developmental skills, not a formal assessment. It combines decades of multi-source data, clinical experience, and educator input from South Australian schools, adapted to align with practical ACARA curriculum requirements beyond standardized research.

Reference List Entry:
Kid Sense Child Development. (n.d.). Child development charts.

Content adapted and inspired by developmental milestone charts from Kid Sense Child Development (https://childdevelopment.com.au/). Credit to Kid Sense for foundational insights used in creating materials for Aliana Pediatric Therapy.

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