What does blending syllables help develop in early phonological awareness?

Blending syllables is a critical skill in early phonological awareness as it directly contributes to sound sequencing abilities. When children practice blending, they learn to combine individual sounds or syllables to form words. This skill is fundamental for developing their understanding of how sounds work together in language, which is crucial for both reading and spelling.

As children become proficient in blending, they enhance their ability to hear and manipulate sounds in words. This capability supports them in decoding written words during reading, as they can identify the sequence of sounds that correspond to the letters they see. By mastering sound sequencing through blending, children lay a strong foundation for all subsequent literacy skills.